Scripture:
1 Corinthians 7:25-31
Luke 6:20-26
Reflection:
Throughout the gospels, Jesus frequently makes enigmatic statements, but perhaps none so enigmatic as the Beatitudes in Luke’s gospel today.
“Blessed are you who are poor, because God’s kingdom 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 ae you when people hate you…Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.”
What are we to make of these strange beatitudes, which are coupled with equally enigmatic woes to the rich, those whose stomachs are filled, who laugh now, and those who crave honor?
These beatitudes are and woes are descriptive rather than prescriptive. That is, they describe an already established reality, what is. A prescriptive statement describes what ought to be.
Jesus isn’t telling us, for example, to sell all we have and give it to the poor so we might attain the kingdom of God, although he later makes such a prescriptive demand of a rich man.
Jesus is telling the poor that the kingdom is already (present tense) theirs. In the woes, Jesus tells the rich they have already received their reward.
Perhaps we can better understand Luke’s version of the beatitudes — and woes — within a broader Lukan theme, the great reversal. Jesus describes a reversal that is simply a fact of life — if we Christians ae willing to open our eyes to this reality. The kingdom of God and the Kingdom of this world are dramatically opposed.
Luke presents a strong emphasis throughout his Gospel on the great reversal that the kingdom of God brings, beginning with Mary’s Magnificat: “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” Think also of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. So many more great reversals may be recounted in Luke’s Gospel.
Luke had in mind a persecuted or marginalized Christian community. Luke wanted to encourage his community that despite their suffering, they belong, not to the kingdom of this world, but to the kingdom of God — right now — therefore, it’s time to rejoice.
Luke is not trying to idealize poverty. Instead he is telling his community that in the kingdom of God, we are to care for one another, comfort one another, share with one another. Luke’s emphasis throughout his gospel is generosity and compassion rather than poverty.
On closer examination, then, it may be that today’s gospel is not so much enigmatic, as it is radical.
Which message will we heed — Jesus’ beatitudes or his woes? The more profound question is this, in which kingdom do we reside right now?
Jesus tells us: choose the kingdom of God. Then with Mary, we may proclaim “My soul rejoices in the Lord!” And in Jesus’ own words: “Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!” Truly, a radical declaration even on this day of 9-11.
Deacon Manuel Valencia is on the staff at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.