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 Monday of the1st Week of Lent
Homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent
Homily for Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Homily for Friday after Ash Wednesday
Homily for Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Homily for Ash Wednesday
Homily for Tuesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of St. Scholastica
Homily for Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Wednesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions
Homily for the Memorial of St. Agatha, Virgin & Martyr
Homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent
Homily for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Homily for Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Homily for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)