Breaking the Word

23^rd Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 07^th September 2022 — Gospel: Lk 6,20-26

Live for the Heavenly Kingdom

Luke’s version of the beatitudes offers the heavenly idea of happiness. To be “blessed” means to be happy. The beatitudes paint a picture of the abundant life one wants to enjoy (Jn 10,10). In the heavenly economy, those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and hated are happy. This is quite different from the worldly idea of happiness, that say “eat, drink, and be merry here and now.” But each of the beatitudes has a heavenly reward attached to them. The poor on earth will inherit the Kingdom. The hungry will be filled, and those in mourning will rejoice. Those who are persecuted will be great in heaven. In this regard, we recall Mary’s Magnificat of God’s praises, “He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty” (Lk 1,51-53). As Christian disciples, we are subjects of Christ’s kingdom, called to live differently from the rest of the world.  Jesus exhorts us to “lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart also be.” (Mt 6,20-21). If we try to live the beatitudes, we will store up treasures in heaven.

23^rd Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 06^th September 2021 — Gospel: Lk 6,12-19

Reminder of God’s Compassion

Jesus spends the night in prayer. It renews Him after a busy day and helps Him to focus on what He will do on the next day. Lots of key events happen after His night of prayer. First, Jesus calls twelve individuals and appoints them as apostles. Secondly, after commissioning the twelve, Jesus continues His ministry to those who seek Him, not only in word but in action. In His ministry, He demonstrates the compassion and healing that are the hallmarks of God the Father. These two are the most enduring qualities of God. It is for this very reason, of mercy-compassion and love, that God sent His Son into the world and gave a more powerful example of His love for all people. As Jesus demonstrated both His power and His compassion, He was reminding His newly appointed assistants that their job was to share His love and power with a needy world.