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Gospel Reading for September 10, 2025 – Luke 6: 20-26
CONSOLE
Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God 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 are you when people hate you
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
“Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets
in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the
false prophets in this way.”
————
The first part of the reading is commonly called The Beatitudes which we also find in Matthew 5: 3-12.
Let us not think that because we suffer or are experiencing material poverty, we are assured of a great reward in heaven. If we experience material poverty because we are lazy and do not use the gifts and capabilities God endowed us with, how can we be assured of a great reward in heaven? If we are excluded or insulted because we did something or are doing something bad, how can we be assured of a great reward in heaven?
The Beatitudes are meant to CONSOLE those who strive to follow God’s will inspite of hardships and difficulties that come with it. They are meant to CONSOLE those who work hard to keep their families alive, but are not given just compensation, hence, are finding it hard to make both ends meet. They are meant to CONSOLE those who are handicapped and the elderly who have no choice but depend on the compassion of others. The Beatitudes are for the helpless victims of those who violate the Commandment of Love for Neighbor. This is why in the second part, or that of the “Woes,” the violators are not assured of a great reward in heaven.
Lord Jesus, may we never be the recipients of the “Woes,” but be among those who follow you faithfully and bring happiness to those in need!
