In the gospel passage today we have St. Luke's version of the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount. They are more basic than Matthew's and for their understanding need to be supplemented by Matthew's version. Luke simply says: Blessed are you who are poor; while Matthew clarifies "poor" by adding "in spirit." Those who are economically poor are not necessarily the ones who will possess the Kingdom of God – but the ones who have a poverty of spirit: an emptiness and a hunger and thirst for the things of God – will possess God and his kingdom!
The same goes for all parts of the beatitudes. Happy are they who do not see these as a way for material hope and comfort; but rather, as they are meant to be, for spiritual hope and comfort. EACH BEATITUDE IS IN FACT A PROMISE made by God the Father, through Jesus his Son – that will be kept – for those who accept it, endure and keep their eyes fixed on the kingdom.
The first reading today relates how Paul is telling the Corinthians that the time of the kingdom is near – and that all of their energies ought to be focused on it – rather than concerning themselves about marrying and the like. No one knew then, nor knows now when the kingdom will arrive – when Jesus will come again to establish it. Paul gave good advice for that period of Church history; but as we know, Jesus has not yet come – but the underlying concept behind the advice is still good – "even though we now concern ourselves with marriage" – our sights, our spiritual focus still needs to be, and ought to be on that kingdom that is to come! Marriage is meant to be a sign of that kingdom – and a way to help married couples and their children reach it!
Let us listen to what God has to say to us this day – and let us live lives which reflect our awareness that what we see will pass away – what is yet to come – what will be new – will last forever!
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