Blessed are those who Trust in the Lord

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C: February 13, 2022

Readings: Jeremiah 17:5–8; Psalm 1:1–4, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16–20; Luke 6:17, 20–26

Jesus preaching on a plain
To listen to my audio-video reflections on YouTube, please click here

This week, Karnataka State saw the turmoil surrounding the students' dressing in schools and colleges based on their religious affiliations. Not only did the state government fail to act quickly and bring the situation under control, in fact, many in the ruling party also fuelled the situation almost like pouring oil on the fire. The sitaution showed us how young students' minds are poisoned and divided on religious lines. This also showcased the lack of critical thinking being fostered in our education system. The present generation of students would be one day our rulers, bureaucrats and civil society carrying forward the heritage of living in a peaceful and harmonious society. A little spark of wickedness and evil had its say in destroying the communal peace and harmony in our state. Moreover, teachers and parents alike kept their mouths shut so that hatred, animosity, communalism is strengthened and triumphed. We are creating in our schools and colleges reactionaries and not reasoning people, rowdies and not respectful citizens. St Antony of Egypt (251-356) says, “a time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad; you are not like us.’” With this in the background, we must read and reflect the liturgical readings of this Sunday.

1. Trusting in the blessedness of God

The first reading from the book of Prophet Jeremiah (17:5–8) and the Psalm 1 speak about how the relationship between God and His people is fostered. It also speaks about the ways of the wicked and the ways of God. In every relationship, trust is very important. If a person believes in himself or herself, his or her abilities and makes oneself God then such a person according to the prophet a cursed one, because the person has turned away from the Lord. Such a person is like living in a desert or wilderness without much scope for survival. Therefore, the prophet calls for a relationship with God that is of relishing and resilient. "Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD" (Jeremiah 17:7). It is a trust-based relationship, built on mutual respect and reverence, of confidence and concern. Such a relationship is lasting and eternal. 

Prophet Jeremiah further says that an authentic relationship will see continuous growth. It is "like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8; Psalm 1:1-3). Truly, the remarkable words indeed!  If life has to see the blessings and graces, it must be built on a foundation that can be strengthened by the Lord. It does not mean that things will be fine, colourful and rosy all the time. It is not. However, even in those times of struggles and tribulations, pains and suffering, one will be strengthened within to face such environments and situations with faith and hope. One who walks in the "law of the LORD and meditates on his law day and night," (Psalm 1:2) will be a happy person. Thus God's dream in oneself is realized and brings forth fruit for eternity.

2. Learning to rejoice in the Lord

The Gospel reading that we have today from St Luke, gives us Jesus' "Sermon on the Plain"Luke 6:17, 20–26. Unlike St Mathew's Sermon on the Mount, here in St Luke, it is short, yet clear and strong in its teaching. As the biblical scholar Gustav Deissmann said, "They are spoken in an electric atmosphere. They are not quiet stars but flashes of lightning followed by a thunder of surprise and amazement." Jesus invites us to embrace his teaching wholeheartedly and fully. Even though they are counter-cultural, almost swimming against the current yet, Jesus says that there is joy in following heavenly teachings. "Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven."(Luke 6:23). 

As we see in many other places in the scripture, God always promises reward for whatever good we do. Nothing goes in vain in the Lord. Desmond Tutu of South Africa once said: "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." In a world of instant gratification and quick satisfaction, Jesus' words may not satisfy us fully. Often we are accustomed and habituated to walk away quickly when things do not happen to us as we have expected even after our sincere struggles, prayers and petitions. In those times, God is calling us to be patient, in fact, perseverance beyond our calculated time, indeed. 

3. Aligning with Jesus means walking in his footsteps

Jesus hails those who are poor in his Sermon on the Plain. For Jesus, rich and poor are more than just numbers. What matters for Jesus is the spiritual state of the person. In other words, Jesus encourages and supports those who are humble, ready to put all their hope and trust in the Lord. He criticizes those who boast and end up in their self-sufficiency. Interestingly, Mary in her Magnificat (Luke 1:45–55) speaks about those rich who are cast down, hungry are filled and lowly are exalted. In order to gain the spiritual treasure, we have to embrace the upside-down world of the Gospel where even suffering and death are inevitable because you stand for truth and live that truth.  In contrast to power and prosperity which the Old Testament speaks about so boldly, in the New Testament joy and true freedom are found amidst the struggles and tussles, toils and turmoils, pains and afflictions of everyday life. In other words, we are called to be first in the eyes of God than the eyes of the world. If you take the world's way, you must abandon the values of Christ. If you take Christ's way, you must abandon the values of the world.

Jesus places before us values of God's Kingdom. The values of the Kingdom will live forever and are life giving. There is no place for wickedness or evil there. It is up to us to measure and make them our own. In Jesus' time, a common belief was that bad fortune or poverty was due to sin on the part of the individual or on the part of his ancestors. The message of Jesus is simple and bold. Jesus invites us to trust in God, do good, avoid evil. We must get away from those things which do not allow us come closer to God. Perhaps those inordinate attachments really pull us down from walking in the path set by our God. We must put a full stop to such impediments. Jesus calls us to be rooted in his love rather than on our possessions, power and prestige. Let our identity be shaped by our Lord's teaching and not on ill-gotten wealth, success and social standing. So that everyone has a place in His Kingdom. 

Questions for reflections

1. How can we stand in solidarity with the poor, the hungry, the weeping, those laughed at and excluded?  
2. What does it mean to you to align with the values of Jesus and his Kingdom?
3. Where do you find strength when you feel incapable or fragile or vulnerable?
4. What are your perspectives on sickness, dying and suffering in the perspective of God's eternity?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me to recognize various gifts that you have showered upon me. Moreover, you are always ready to bestow on me good and more gifts whenever I seek them.  Assist me to appreciate those gifts which help in my progress towards eternity and come closer to you. Let every gift help me to praise and glorify you. 

Gracious Lord our God, free me from greed and fear. Grant me the grace to find true happiness rooted on your love and grace. Help me, and those who pray with me, so to seek You that I may truly find You, so to ask that I may joyfully receive, so to knock that the door of Your mercy may be opened for me. I make this prayer in Jesus' name. Amen. 

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

11 February 2022