Blessed Are the Poor

God is Just and Merciful

Jesus Teaches about Justice

Luke6:20-26 The Message

You’re Blessed

17-21 Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their ailments. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him—so much energy surging from him, so many people healed! Then he spoke:
You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all.
God’s kingdom is there for the finding.
You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry.
Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal.
You’re blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning.
22-23 “Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.

Give Away Your Life

24 But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made.
    What you have is all you’ll ever get.
25 And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself.
    Your self will not satisfy you for long.
And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games.
    There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it.
26 “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.

For Reflection

Being at your wit's end with no hope of success, with no apparent possibilities for satisfaction is a good thing.  It is good because, at that point when you have tried everything that you know to do and not been successful, you are ready to accept a gentle nudge from that point in your soul that is uniquely you.  That element divinely placed to lift you closer to who you were meant to be and you experience, perhaps, for the first time the confidence and joy that results in giving yourself away and embracing tomorrow with unreasonable trust that the Holy Spirit will lead you to see the world anew.

Pray

Pray for confidence in God's love for you.  Pray so that you will see opportunities for a joy-filled life. Pray so that you satisfy your soul's desire to be one with God's will.

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