Sermon on the plain

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.”

REFLECTION BLESSED ARE YOU WHO ARE NOW WEEPING. Jesus consoles those who are sad for whatever reason, like being penniless or losing loved ones. People show their sadness by crying aloud.

Jesus says to them and to all experiencing trouble — the hungry, the hated, the excluded, the insulted, and the denounced — that soon they will laugh and be happy. They have to believe and wait for the reversal of their fate.

Jesus warns those who are contented and satisfied with their lives. Their fate will also be reversed. They should prepare themselves for this.

Christian experience tells us that when we do what is expected of us as Christ’s disciples, we get into trouble. We speak out before injustice. People do not appreciate our sacrifices. We suffer because we show ourselves faithful to Jesus.