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 BUT WOE TO YOU WHO ARE RICH. Unlike Matthew, Luke has four “woes,” which match his four beatitudes. The “woes” are intimately linked with the blessings that precede. Those who have “woes” pronounced on them are the ones who must share a large portion of the blame for the negative conditions described in vv 20b-23. The “rich” play a thematic role in Luke as opposites to the poor. The term denotes economic well-being and security. It connotes belonging and power, a sense of arrogance. The “woes” do not necessarily mean “curses” but warnings or threats. The threat is a warning that the rich may not receive the heavenly reward. The luxurious life is itself the consolation of the rich. But this consolation may itself be a waste, an illusion, and self-deception, as illustrated in Jesus’ parable of the rich fool (cf Lk 12:16-21).

Lord, teach us to be generous and cheerful givers.