Word to the Wise
Wednesday, September 7, 2016 - Wednesday in the 23th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Cor 7:25-31 and Luke 6:20-26]"Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours....." [Luke]
Many people are surprised to discover that there are two reports of the beatitudes. The latter are so identified with the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew that the one in the Gospel of Luke gets little attention. Luke's version is, like Matthew's, suited to his audience. Matthew's version is longer and is directed to a predominately Jewish Christian audience. Luke's is directed to a predominately Gentile Christian audience. In keeping with other themes in his gospel, Luke's version of the beatitudes is a bit more oriented to actual poverty and to a reverse in suffering. (Read the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55). Luke's version also is balanced by a corresponding list of "Woe to's". Last but not least, Luke's version is sometimes referred to as the "Sermon on the Plain."
Luke clearly tries to give hope to people who are suffering from scourges that still plague humanity today: poverty, hunger, persecution. There are so many that are in need and the inequality that political and cultural ideologies support is a great scandal. The canonization of Mother Teresa of Kolkata placed that inequality before us this past Sunday. Perhaps we might feel overwhelmed both by the dramatic quality of her witness and the sheer enormity of the needs. But if everyone did just a little bit to help, a great deal could be done to alleviate those scourges. Pope Francis is encouraging all of us to "touch the flesh of Christ" in those who are suffering. We can look around and do at least two things: support responsible agencies with money, and get involved in direct efforts to relieve poverty and hunger in our own communities. Those who are suffering await the blessing that we can be. AMEN
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