February 16, 2025 Daily Dose of Discernment

Blessed are you who are poor … hunger … weep … when men hate you for the sake of the Son of Man. Woe to you who are rich … well-fed, … laugh … when men speak well of you. (Luke 6 :20-22, 24-26)

Jesus' statements in this passage from Luke gospel don't seem to make sense. Of course it’s not a blessing to be poor, hungry, grieving or hated. And it’s not a curse to be rich, to laugh or to be praised by men. God wills for us to prosper in spirit, soul, and body and abundantly supplies us with all things for our enjoyment. So what is He actually saying? He's pointing out that if we are too attached to anything that it we're preoccupied by them, we will not be truly happy. But if He takes first place in our hearts, then we will find fulfillment in all other things. Jesus became poor so that we may be rich. He hungered, wept, and was reviled for our sake. He endured all that with joy because on the other side is the salvation of all men. He wants us to have that same joy. That's why He tells us to follow His example.