YEAR C: HOMILY FOR THE 6TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: THE BEATITUDES
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY:Â (Lk. 6:17-26) Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel we have Jesus’ beginning Sermon on the Mount. He began strongly with the (Luke’s version) Beatitudes. These are composed of some blessings and curses. These teachings show Jesus as the Lord of reversals. However, lest we misunderstand them, the Beatitudes are not just about the rich or the poor, happy or sad, hungry or satisfied, etc. It is beyond our status in life but more of our status before God. Jesus was careful to note that whatever we are experiencing, if it is because of our faith and love of the Lord, we are blessed.
The world mainly refers to the rich, powerful, famous, and the like as the ones blessed. While those on the other side are regarded as cursed. But what if those riches, power, or fame are attained immorally, illegally, or unworthily? Before God’s eyes, they are not blessings at all. Anything against God’s commands is never a blessing. In the same way, the poor, hungry, the oppressed, and the like are not automatic curses. They may be blessings if they were attained in faithfulness to God. Relationship with God, not our worldly status, determines blessedness. Blessed is being always in the grace and favor of God.
Blessedness is necessary. The Beatitudes are perfectly translated in Filipino as “Mga Punong Kabanalan”. They are our ways to heaven. They are steps to salvation. Thus, it is important to see them not as a judgment on status but an encouragement and inspiration to a committed and faithful relationship with God.
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE>>>>>
