(1st Reading, Jer. 17:5-8; 2nd Reading, 1 Cor. 15:12, 16-20; Gospel, Luke 6:17, 20-26)
Dear brothers and sisters,
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD AND NOT IN MEN
In the First Reading, with strong words, Jeremiah denounces those who put their trust in human beings, who trust in themselves, their strength, intelligence, might, power, and even wealth, and whose hearts are turned away from the Lord. In the Prophet's word, they are accursed. They are like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season but
stands in lava waste, salt, and empty earth.
What actually is Jeremiah trying to teach and communicate to us? Is he asking us to mistrust others and not believe in our abilities? Not at all! Instead, he wants us to reflect on the things that really matter and are essential to our joy and happiness. Putting our trust and hope in worldly things can only increase our anxiety and stress levels. It can equally lead to a disastrous end, knowing that worldly things are perishable, temporary, and ephemeral. They can only last for a short period of time, and when they are gone, everything built around it is gone with it.
God is the source of life, and he who is in Him stays evergreen. God is immutable and eternal; whatever is built around Him will stand forever. Such is the lot of those who put their trust in the Lord. That was the message of the Prophet when he tells us that true joy and blessedness are found in God, and the one who puts his trust in the Lord experiences it ultimately. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches its roots to the stream. It fears not the heat when it comes. Its leaves stay green, and in the year of drought, it shows no distress but still bears fruit.
THE BEATITUDES
Luke presents us with his own version of the beatitudes in the gospel, which means blessedness. Who are those that are deemed blessed by Jesus Christ? They include the poor, the hungry, the weeping, the persecuted, etc. Why? The teaching of Jesus Christ on beatitudes was an approbation (approval) of the action of Peter, his partners, James, John, the tax collector, and Levi, who left everything behind to follow Him.
Their action equals embracing poverty for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. As seen in their attitude, this willful embrace of poverty has its rewards. Thus, Jesus says, "Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours."
The teaching was an encouragement to the disciples for what they did (abandoning everything to follow him) and their chosen life. He equally prompts His listeners and, indeed, us to embrace the life of poverty and meekness. Furthermore, in these Beatitudes, "Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied; blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh; blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you and denounce your name as evil … rejoice and leap for joy on that day", Jesus teaches us that trusting in God and divine providence we can get our fill, be satisfied and attain ultimate happiness.