06th Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 16, 2025
Readings: Jeremiah 17:5–8; Psalm 1:1–4, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16–20; Luke 6:17, 20–26
In our world today, kindness often seems in short supply. Individuals have their own reasons to negate someone or feel jealousy about others. Often history is a repetition of mistakes. Looking around our world now, some 2000 years since Jesus came into the world, humanity continues to repeat past mistakes. We seem to believe we can solve all problems if we just_____(fill in the blank). People continue to face a multitude of tragedies and trauma. Very few are ready to accept defeat. Many feel frustrated and exhausted, with nothing left to give. However it is time to sit down and rest, but not surrender or give up, and 2025 is the perfect year to renew and deepen our relationship with God. The liturgical readings of today are truly soothing balm to our hurts and wounds.
1. The Presence of Jesus in Our Midst
In Luke 6:17, 20–26, Jesus does not remain at the heights of the mountain; He comes down to be among the people. His ministry is not detached or distant, but close and personal. He stands on level ground, meeting the people where they are—amid their struggles, hopes, and pains. This reminds us that Christ is not a distant God but one who walks with us in our everyday lives. He comes to meet us in our joys and sorrows, in our strengths and weaknesses. He sees our suffering and declares that God's kingdom belongs to us. Those who seem to have the least by worldly standards may be the richest in faith and closest to God's heart.
Jesus proclaims a radical message: the poor, the hungry, and those who weep are blessed, for they will inherit the Kingdom of God. This is a reversal of worldly values, where power, wealth, and comfort are seen as blessings. Jesus invites us to trust that God’s justice will prevail—that suffering is not the final word. This teaching invites us to live for eternal values rather than temporary rewards. True discipleship requires trust in God’s justice, compassion for the suffering, and a willingness to live differently from the world’s expectations.
2. The Call to Radical Discipleship
St. Oscar Romero of El Salvador rejected the idea that poverty is God’s will, affirming that God desires happiness for all His children. He condemned extreme poverty as an evil and a sin, distinguishing it from the poverty blessed in the Beatitudes. For Romero, the Beatitudes were a call to liberation. The Church must stand with the poor, advocating for justice and denouncing oppression. A Church that fails to do so, he warned, is not truly Christ’s Church.
To those persecuted for their solidarity with the poor in El Salvador, he offered consolation, reminding them that suffering for justice brings true blessing. Romero contrasted material poverty with spiritual poverty—the detachment from wealth and power that allows us to embrace God’s kingdom. Freed from worldly distractions, we become better agents of change, transforming society through God’s grace.
3. Living the Be-attitudes
Jesus reassures His disciples and the people of Judea and Jerusalem, offering a vision of hope. He proclaims that the poor will inherit God’s Kingdom, the hungry will be nourished, and those who weep will find comfort. This promise restores God’s intended harmony for humanity. Luke’s version of the Beatitudes is not just a set of moral teachings but an invitation to a new way of seeing and living. The poor, the sorrowful, and the hungry are not forgotten by God but are at the very heart of His kingdom. At the same time, those who are comfortable must be cautious not to become blind to their deeper hunger for God.
Pope Francis, inspired by the Holy Spirit, has declared 2025 a Jubilee Pilgrimage Year of Hope—timely for a world in turmoil. Pilgrimage invites us to step away from routine, deepen our relationship with God, and reflect on what hinders our spiritual growth. St. Ignatius of Loyola guides us in times of desolation: renew prayer, listen patiently, and use the Daily Examen to discern our path. We can always ask for the grace to hear God’s voice, live our calling, and embrace a faith that seeks justice.
Questions for self-reflection
- Where do we experience Christ standing with us in our daily lives? Do we recognize His presence in the ordinary, in the poor, in those who suffer?
- How do we use our blessings? Do we share what we have with others, or do we cling to security and comfort at the expense of others?
- Are we ready to follow Christ in this radical way? Are we willing to stand for truth even when it costs us others' approval?
Prayer based on Psalm 1
Heavenly Father,
Make me like a tree planted by streams of living water, deeply rooted in your wisdom and truth. Keep my feet from walking in the counsel of the wicked, and my heart from delighting in what displeases you. Let your Word be my meditation day and night, bringing forth fruit in every season of my life.
Guard me from becoming like chaff, scattered and purposeless in the wind. Guide me instead on the path of the righteous, for you watch over the way of those who follow you. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
- Olvin Veigas, SJ
February 14, 2025
1 comment:
Dear Fr. Olvin, Your reflection touches my heart with its powerful message about Jesus's special love for the poor and suffering. I love how you connected the Beatitudes to our daily lives, showing that God's kingdom belongs to those who society often forgets. Your words about Pope Francis declaring 2025 as a Year of Hope come at just the right time when many are struggling. It reminds me that taking time to step back and pray can help us see God's presence more clearly in our lives. Your questions really made me think about where I see Jesus in my everyday life - in the smile of a stranger, in those who need help, and in moments of quiet prayer. They challenge me to be more generous with my blessings and braver in standing up for what's right, even when it's difficult. Thank you for helping us understand God's love in such a beautiful way. With deepest gratitude, Joilin
Post a Comment