Gospel for September 9, 2009, Wednesday
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. | 09/09/2009 12:55 AM
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23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Peter Claver
1st Reading: Col 3:1–11
Gospel: Lk 6:20–26
Lifting up his eyes to his disciples, Jesus said,
“Fortunate are you who are poor, the kingdom of God is yours.”
“Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
“Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
“Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. Remember that is how the ancestors of this people treated the prophets.
“But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now.
“Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry.
“Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
“Alas for you when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of these people treated the false prophets.”
Commentary
If you woke up this morning with more health than sickness, you are more blessed than the millions, who won’t survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of twenty million people around the world. If you attend a church, without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world. If you have sufficient food, clothes and a roof over your head, you are richer than three-quarters of the world’s population.
If your parents are married and still alive, you are very rare among the children of today’s world. If you can hold your head up with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed, because many can, but most do not. If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God’s healing touch. If you can read this reflective offering, then you are more blessed than over two billion people, who cannot read anything at all. You are, indeed, blessed in ways you may never ever know!
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