Sixth Sunday of the Year C:

February 16, 2025

Lk 6: 17, 20-26

All three readings this Sunday are filled with contrasts.  Each gives us a positive way to go or a negative one:  we are either cursed or blessed if we do or believe certain things.  We are given a choice on how our lives will be lived out, either for the good or the bad.

In the first reading from Jeremiah, the basic pattern of life for a person who is dedicated to God is given.  If we trust only in human beings or trust only in created things, we are barren, that is, we can bring nothing to completion as regards our life in God.  We can bring nothing to completion because we cannot really see reality, but only what the human eye can see.  We fall short of opening our hearts and reaching out to God or to our brothers and sisters.  If we trust only in ourselves, our vision is very narrow;  we are like a horse with blinders on so that he can see neither to the right or to the left.  Jeremiah says that the unfulfilled person  like a barren bush “that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth.”

In the Gospel, Luke give contrasts between those who choose God and his way and those who choose only the values of this world.  Jesus goes straight to the point:  “Blessed are the poor, the kingdom of God is yours.  Blessed are you who are hungry, for you will be satisfied.”  If you weep, you will laugh;  if you are hated due to the name of the Son of Man, Jesus, rejoice because your joy will be great in heaven.  This sounded like crazy talk to Jesus hearers, and if we think about it these are crazy ideas for us today.  The words shocked Jesus hearers;  they are used to thinking that advancing in wealth and position are signs of God’s blessing. These words of Jesus were very radical indeed.

Today Jesus might say to us, ‘blessed are the homeless, the immigrants, the migrant workers, the minimum wage workers, the elderly on small incomes, all of these have the kingdom of God, they will be satisfied, they will laugh;  rejoice, their reward will be great in heaven.’  We really don’t want to hear words like that.  We are comfortable and do not want to be disturbed.  We certainly do not think that Jesus condemnations apply to us:  “woe to you who are rich...who laugh now,”  who are well thought of, because you will be hungry, will grieve.  That is why today is the day to take these words to heart and ask:  Do I make the best use of my resources;  Do I give material of spiritual assistance to the homeless, underpaid workers, the elderly who find it hard to live?  Do I visit those in need with something they need and offer my prayers and my friendship?  Do I notice when there is need around me and try of be of help or organize Christians, perhaps fellow parishioners, to find ways to help and carry these out?  Lent is almost upon us;  there is no better time to be active Christians.  Maybe I do not have that much myself, but there is something I can do.

The second reading brings all this into perspective.  Paul asks us if we really believe in Jesus Christ.  The point Paul is making is about some believers who doubt that we rise from the dead after death.  If we deny this, then, our whole faith is a joke, it means nothing because the basis of it all is that Jesus did rise from the dead, and so saved us all.  But, we cannot just say I will rise from the dead when I die and live like I want to now.  We have to put on Christ every day and  be Christ to those who make up or daily existence.  We actually proclaim with our bodies and our actions that Christ is risen and among us today. 

A friend of mine took a group of teenagers to a Guatamala.  One of the days while they were there was to make a Way of the Cross for the migrant workers who are often underpaid and taken advantage of.  Even if they are treated well, they try to save as much as  possible to their families at home and deprive themselves of enough to eat while away from home.   My friend was on his way to Mass crossing the town square in front of the church.  He was thinking of how to get his point across to his students.  Before he got into the church a man approached him;  My friend could tell he was a beggar.  This man turned out the be a migrant worker who was on his way to his home country;  he had been injured on the job and could not afford food or medical attention because he had sent most of his money home.  So it hit my friend that while he was going to give a lesson on the plight of migrant workers, here was one in front of him who needed to see the face of Christ.

As St. Paul says, “But now Christ has been raised from the dead,  the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  We are the modern day first fruits of the harvest;  we do not have life in Christ for ourselves only.  If we think we do, then we are the rich and well-thought-of, that Jesus spoke about today instead of other Christs who rise everyday.   It is a matter of who we fall in love with.  Are we in love with ourselves, with some material things, with a position, or with the Lord and all the people that then includes?

Father Louis Everly, a noted Belgian theologian, priest, and writer says that so many people never find happiness because they do not know where to look for it. Too many people make the mistake of seeking one more material thing, one more pay raise, one more promotion, one more problem solved, one more handicap overcome. “If only I had that,” they often say, “I would be happy.” — Too late they learn that happiness does not come from the outside but from within. Howard Hughes was one of the wealthiest men who ever lived but he could not buy contentment or peace of mind. That is the first thing that is evident as we view the Beatitudes. Happiness is not synonymous with the pursuit of pleasure. Happiness has to do with bringing about the Kingdom of God.

Fr. John Tran.