Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of
the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time (I) (11th September, 2019) on
the Gospel
Col 3:1-11;
Ps 144:2-3.10-13. (R.v.9);
Lk 6:20-26.
Topic: Ultimate reversal.
Jesus proclaimed that those who are poor, those who are
hungry now, those who weep now, and those people hate, exclude, revile, and
defame on account of the Son of Man as blessed. On the contrary, woes to the
rich, those who are filled now, those laughing now, and those people speak well
of.
One might conclude that being poor, hungry, weeping, hated,
defamed, and so on are tickets to heaven. Whereas, being rich, filled,
laughing, and having good name are channels of hell.
However, both poverty and riches are from the same LORD, cf. 1Sam 2:7; Prov 22:2). Does it then mean
that God destined some for hell?
The problem is when one forgets to show kindness, pursuing
the poor, the needy and the broken-hearted to their death (Ps 109:16). It is wrong to despise, oppress, and/or mock the poor,
cf. Prov 14:21, 31. 17:5. 22:16.
Whoever closes his/her ear to the cry of the poor, will cry out and not be
heard, cf. Prov 21:13.
We read from the Psalms, “Happy are those who consider the
poor; the LORD delivers them in the day of trouble” (Ps 41:1). Elsewhere we also read, “Whoever is kind to the poor
lends to the LORD, and will be repaired in full” (Prov 19:17). Again, “Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse” (Prov 28:27). We ought to follow Christ who though He was rich, yet
for our sake became poor, so that by His poverty we might become rich, cf. 2Cor 8:9.
Bible Reading: Deut 30:11-20; Jas 2:1-13.
Thought for today: We are all from the same God.
Let us pray: Lord, help us live in hope for the
kingdom of heaven, where there will be true fulfilment, laughing, and rejoicing
– Amen.
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