Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:20-26

 

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:  “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. 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 on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.  For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

 

Today's message is quite clear, those that suffer on earth will be rewarded in the Kingdom of God. Those who sacrifice everything for God and give up all the earthly items will find a special joy in heaven. I have heard many a preacher say that someone must be blessed because they are rich or that they have a good job. Not that these people cannot be blessed, but this implies that those who have nothing are being punished by God. Today’s gospel reading tells us something quite different. The truly blessed people are those who have found God and have absolutely nothing. Those are the people who one would expect to be soured by their position in society. Christ tells us that if you are poor on earth, you will be rich in heaven; or, if you had a sad life on earth, you will have a very happy life in heaven. We will all suffer and experience some degree of pain, suffering, sickness, and even death. However, some people appear to be burdened with an abundance of pain and suffering. At times we may think that a dark cloud is just sitting over our head. Why does God allow us to suffer? Why must people be poor and homeless? We are called to have faith in God and offer this suffering to him. This offering transcends earthly happiness and allows us to reach a spiritual happiness in the kingdom of heaven.

 

We have all seen people who have absolutely nothing, yet they laugh and have fun. They are content with what God has given them and they take satisfaction in their simple lives. Why are they not sad? The word Beatitude literally means happiness. True happiness comes from the suffering. Are you really happy if you are given everything? Do we not get bored with material things to only want more? Then we become bored with that stuff and want even more. Is that really happiness? How long does that brand new IPad or Xbox keep you happy? True happiness is found in the Beatitudes. This message is really trying to tell us that the poor are not held captive to material things and therefore can see the things that bring true happiness. They can see the Kingdom of God because their site is not blinded by greed for earthly materials. To find true happiness in heaven, we will need to empty our lives of those things that prevent us from seeing God. This is why we are asked to fast, pray and give alms. During this time, we separate ourselves from the earthly things and allow our souls to unite with God in Heaven. These are things we typically do during lent; however, we are called to live Lent year round, not just during the Lenten season.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, I desire to find your happiness,

Give me the strength to separate myself from the earthly things that keep me from you.

I hunger for your love.

May my suffering allow me to see you more clearly.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon