23rd Week in Ordinary Time 2022 - Wednesday - Poor, hungry, sorrowful, and hated

The beatitudes Jesus teaches, the way to attain holiness on earth that leads to beatitude in heaven, are a pretty strange set of teachings at first glance, no? Blessed are you when you are poor? No one wants to poor. Everyone tries to get out of poverty. Blessed are you who are hungry? In Jesus’ day, to go hungry was a sign that you were cursed by God. No one likes to be hungry. Blessed are you who weep? Holiness consists in sorrow? Poor, hungry, now sad? We seek to escape sadness, depression, and grief. And the last one is even more dramatic. You are blessed when you are hated, persecuted, and condemned as evil for being a follower of Jesus. 

Poverty, hunger, sadness, and persecution are roads to holiness. If there was ever a refutation of the so-called prosperity Gospel of modern day preachers, you simply have to read these four verses.

Jesus here refutes the idea that riches, and fat bellies, and earthly satisfaction, and a comfortable, peaceful life are signs of blessing and God’s favor. In fact, to prioritize these earthly pursuits over the seeking of holiness will leave you frustrated, exhausted, spiritually depleted, and possibly damned for all time. 

Each the beatitudes are lessons in the importance of recognizing that this earthly life is not the end all and be all of our existence, but that we are to live for eternity, to use the time we’ve been given to prepare for eternity. Part of that is learning to cultivate the attitudes, behaviors, and habits that truly benefit our souls—including detachment from earthly wealth, bodily pleasures, and social favor. And the other part is learning to be dependent on God and trust in God.

Before God we are to be poor, trusting that God will give us what we need to pursue our highest ends. Before God we are to be hungry, trust that God will feed us with what we need to have the strength to follow his holy will. Before God we are to weep—to weep for our sins, to weep for the time we’ve wasted in following empty pursuits and false prophets. And we are to do so all these things, even if it makes other uncomfortable, even if we are hated by our families and past acquaintances. 

This Gospel entails embracing a real different way of life than the way most of us are brought up with. But the saints who embrace the Gospel, embrace these teachings, show us, that it works. It is the road to true and lasting joy, and fulfillment. It’s the life we really long for, but are often too afraid to pursue, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - -  

For the grace to desire and pursue the holiness God desires for each of us.

For an end to indifference to God and human dignity in our government & educational institutions, businesses, and personal attitudes; and for a flourishing of the Gospel in our land.

For the poor, hungry, sorrowful, and persecuted, that they may trust in the Lord in their trials and know his love and strength. 

For all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord