It can certainly be said that the Beatitudes sound strange to our ears. One might ask: How can people be happy if they are poor, hungry or weeping? These proclamations go against how we typically view life. How often the teaching of Jesus compels us to reconsider how we usually view life. He proclaimed a God who favors the distressed and the downtrodden. Jesus calls them blessed because God is on their side and wants a more just and sharing world. Knowledge of our need can open up space for God to work in our lives, while in times of abundance we can easily be self-satisfied and reject God.
People often seek God with more motivation when their need is greater. We come before the Lord in our poverty, our hunger, our sadness because it is in such times that we recognize that we are not self-sufficient.
Scripture tells us that as Jesus hung from the Cross, one of the two thieves who were being executed along with Him said to Him, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” To this doomed man Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”[1] It is when we are at our weakest that grace is at its strongest.
[1] Luke 23:42-43
Homily for the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Athanasius
Homily for Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter
Homily for Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter
Homily for the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena
Homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter
Homily for Saturday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for Friday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for the Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist
Homily for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for Monday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter
Homily for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Homily for Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Homily for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Homily for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Homily for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Homily for Monday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter
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