The Coming Engagement On this Sixth Sunday in Ordinal Time, we hear from the Gospel of Luke, chapter six, verses   seventeen and twenty through twenty-six, in which we hear of the Beatitudes and the Woes. The context and setting of this gospel occurs just after Jesus has appointed His twelve apostles and then descends from the mountain top to level ground, a plain, and a large crowd has gathered to see and hear Him—the people want to be healed and taught. Scholars tell us that the setting emphasizes   Jesus’ accessibility and His desire to connect with the marginalized and the suffering.   

But first and foremost, notice that our scripture scholars use the word “accessibility” and not casualness or familiarity. Jesus knows who He is, the Son of God and Savior of the world, and does not confuse accessibility with being like “one of the guys (or ladies),” but that Jesus brings about   engagement with His creation. The difference here is the foundation of our accessibility: He is the Creator, we are the created, and the desire is for the lesser to be raised up and dwell with the Head of the Church. 

The Beatitudes. In these verses Jesus pronounces blessings on the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and those who are persecuted. Each of the blessings speaks to a reversal of worldly values. The poor and those who hunger for justice are assured by the Spirit that they will find fulfillment in the Kingdom of God. The radical message here is an invitation to trust in God’s providence and to find hope in their struggles. It reflects God’s compassion and His preference for those who are often overlooked by society and culture.   

The Woes. In verses 24-26 Jesus warns the rich, the satisfied, the laughing and those who are well-regarded by society. These “woes” serve as a caution against complacency and   self-sufficiency. They remind us that worldly success and comfort can lead to spiritual poverty if we become detached from God’s Will and the needs of others. This stark contrast invites reflection on our own values and priorities, urging us to seek true fulfillment in God rather than material wealth and societal approval.   

Personal application. Pondering these teachings encourages us to examine our own lives. Are we living in solidarity with the marginalized? Are we attentive to the needs of the poor and the suffering? The Beatitudes challenge us to cultivate a spirit of humility and   compassion, while the woes remind us of the dangers of materialism and self-satisfaction. How do we look at requests for assistance, whether it is the homeless person on the street in need of a bite to eat or the letter we receive from the Archdiocese to help the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal or the pastor’s request for the Advent Giving Tree or a second collection? How do we see our responsibility to one another? Do we?? 

Ultimately, our Catholic faith and this passage in today’s gospel calls each of us to a deeper understanding of the Kingdom of God, which is often upside-down when compared to   societal norms. It invites us to embrace a lifestyle of service, love and justice, rooted in the   teachings of Christ. As I mentioned last weekend, our Faith in Action is not so much rooted in what we do, but rather our faith is rooted in why we do what we do. That is, what is the prime mover or motivating factor behind what we do: it must be Jesus Christ! If all we do is “good works,” without bringing Christ into that work, then we have failed. As we strive to embody the values of Christ, then we can become the instruments of God’s Peace, with a capital “P,” and our world, which   desperately needs His Peace and Hope, can be more engaged with Him and His Church. That is why it is so important that our Mass, our Faith, our Youth Ministry and our Faith Formation be less about learning statistics, rules and regulations of the Faith, and more about an engagement with the Christ on a very personal level. Again, the “why” versus the “what” of our faith.  

Believe it. Live it. Share it.