Scripture:
Reflection:
A summary of today’s readings might look something like this: It’s okay, and can even bring blessings to be poor, hungry, sad, and excluded. It’s not okay and brings condemnation to be angry, greedy, lying, slandering, or immoral. That seems obvious and makes perfect sense. And yet, in our world the latter category is so often practiced and admired at the expense of the former. Why?
Perhaps it’s because this world is so far from the reign of God. We focus on “getting ahead,” and we don’t get ahead by being poor, hungry, sad, or excluded. In fact, we’re taught that to get ahead we must push others down by any means necessary, exclude the “other,” and be #1. It’s a zero-sum game, built on winners and losers rather than on love and the common good. Competition is king, collaboration and compromise are dead, and being at the top of the heap is the only guarantee of survival. Even the Bible is used in defense of this perspective, with wildly popular preachers teaching that the strength of a person’s faith is measured by their prosperity, health, and happiness rather than their morality, justice, and service.
In a milieu like this, it takes concerted, prolonged, and organized effort to turn things around. We must do more than just listen to the Beatitudes; we must reach out to those on the bottom of the heap, speak for them, and act on their behalf. We must live our lives as Jesus lived his, defying those who cause others to be poor, hungry, sad, or excluded. And perhaps the most frightening aspect of all: Jesus tells us that when we do, we will be hated, insulted, and excluded, and may well be pushed to the bottom ourselves. Ouch!
So, if you are willing, how can we all more faithfully live out the Beatitudes and bring God’s reign? This week, I’m looking at the ways I protect myself from seeing, serving, or (God forbid) being poor, hungry, sad or excluded. For instance, how often do I use a “white lie” to protect myself from ridicule or exclusion? How often is my anger toward someone else actually covering up that same fault in myself? How strongly is greed manifested by my determination to ensure I’m financially secure even if others aren’t? How willing am I to speak up for those at the bottom despite repercussions to myself? Am I actively advocating for marginalized people as Jesus would have me do? How much am I willing to risk in order to live out my faith?
I encourage you to ask yourself similar questions. Prophetic Gospel voices are desperately needed in our world today. Let’s do it together.
Amy Florian is an author and consultant in suburban Chicago who travels the country teaching about spirituality, grief, and healing. She has partnered with the Passionists in various ways for many years. Visit Amy’s website: http://www.corgenius.com/.