Readings: Jer. 17:5-8, Ps. 1:1-4,6, 1 Cor. 15:12,16-20, Luke 6:17,20-26
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come.” (Jeremiah 17:5-6)
Last Sunday, Jesus asked Peter to put out his net for a catch. Peter initially protested because he worked all night without catching a single fish. When Peter obeyed Jesus’ instruction, he saw a great catch of fish that filled two boats to sinking points. Peter learnt the importance of trusting God completely, even in difficult times. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus tells us to rejoice and be glad regardless of our suffering or discomfort. The Beatitudes is a powerful assurance that happiness (blessedness) comes from trusting God (pursuing righteousness) amid difficulties.
To emphasise the importance of trusting only in God, Jeremiah says in today’s First Reading, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from God.” Today’s Responsorial Psalm also echoes: “Blessed is the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.” In today’s Second Reading, St. Paul mentions another reason to trust God: Jesus kept His promise about rising from the dead. God never promises and fails. Since Jesus rose from the dead, we know that the promises of the Beatitudes are genuine. If we are persecuted for righteousness (if we weep now), our reward will be great in heaven.
Why do we still trust our fellow humans despite repeated disappointment? Why do we find it difficult to trust God? How can we deepen our trust in God when it seems as if God is silent? What is the assurance that God will never fail us? These are some of the questions we shall try to answer in today’s reflection.
1. Only A Fool Will Say There is No God.
To trust someone is to believe that the person is reliable. However, before believing that the person can be trusted, we must first believe that the person exits. Today, many find it difficult to trust God because they doubt His existence. Amid the widespread suffering in our society, many have either turned to the worship of idols or become practical atheists. This was the problem Jeremiah set out to address.
In today’s First Reading, Jeremiah's words can be understood as a commentary on Psalm 53: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity... They have all fallen away; they are all alike depraved… They eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God… God will scatter the bones of the ungodly; they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them.” (Psalm 53:1-5). It is foolish to assume that there is no God.
a) It is foolish to trust in your fellow human beings. No matter how good (loving, rich or powerful) a person may be, they can never take God’s place. No human being is perfect; we all have limitations. If Judas could sell Jesus just after eating from the same plate with him, know that you can be sold anytime by those you trust the most.
b) It is foolish to depend on your strength (intelligence, power, connections or wealth). Proverbs 11:28 says: “He who trusts in his riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” No matter how much you gather, it will fail you. In Luke 12:15-20, Jesus told the story of a man whose land yielded abundantly. The man said to his soul: “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! This night, your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”
c) It is foolish to turn your heart away from God. At the beginning of this reign, King Solomon feared God, but as his wealth and power increased, Solomon turned to worship other gods. He married so many wives and only cared about seeking pleasure. Solomon is a typical example of those that Jesus addressed in today’s Gospel passage, saying: “Woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger. Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” (Luke 6:24-25).
2. Trust in God Even Though Things Are Difficult Now.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus said: “Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh.” (Luke 6:21). The key word in the Beatitudes is “Now.” By “now”, Jesus means “in this life.” Things may be hard now, but everything works out for our good. (Cf. Romans 8:28). Do not be carried away by your present sorrows; trust God. Do not disobey His commandments. Do not act like the Israelites who rebelled against God in the wilderness, forgetting that God was leading them somewhere.
Do not mind that you are poor now despite your closeness to God. Trust that God will provide for you. Your poverty should never be an excuse for stealing or partaking in evil. Do not envy the rich (especially those whose source of income is questionable). Rejoice in your sufferings today; be truthful, be holy, and pursue righteousness. Seek God’s kingdom first, and He will satisfy you. (cf. Matthew 6:33). God is a Good Shepherd; He will always provide for His faithful flock who trust Him amid difficulties.
Today’s Responsorial Psalm confirms Jesus’ words in our Gospel passage: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord… He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3). People often say: “If you cannot beat them, join them.” Brothers and Sisters in Christ, do not join any evil group because you want to make money or be part of the “big boys” in town.
Trust in God, and He will see you through this difficult moment. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. He 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 17:7-8). Do not fear this heat that you are facing now. Do not be anxious because of the drought. Keep your feet firm in God. Do not compromise your integrity.
3. Ill-gotten Wealth is Winnowed Chaff.
To understand what Jesus said about the rich in today’s Gospel passage, let us listen to Amos. “Hear this, you who trample upon the needy, and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, ‘When will the new moon be over, that… we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and sell the refuse of the wheat?’ …And on that day, says the Lord God, ‘I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation.’” (Amos 8:4-10).
St. Paul tells us: “The only reward we get from sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). It is not all that glitters that is gold. Ill-gotten wealth (blood money) is a curse one places upon one's head. Today’s Responsorial Psalm says: “The wicked are like chaff which the wind drives away.” (Psalm 1:4). Jeremiah adds: “He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.”
God is not against riches. The book of Proverbs says: “The blessing of the lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22). Ill-gotten wealth always brings sorrow and pain. You can never find peace by depriving others of their life. As the saying goes, “Every day is for the thief, but one day is for the house's owner.”
4. Even If You Are Threatened with Death, Keep Trusting in God
In today’s Second Reading, St. Paul says: “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:19-20). Our hope in Christ is not limited to the bliss of this world. This is why threats to our lives must not move us. We trust God, the Good Shepherd, to prepare our table in the presence of our enemies and make our cup run over (Psalm 23). However, if God so pleases that we lose our lives, we also trust that God has prepared mansions for us in heaven.
Despite the threat to their lives, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If so, our God whom we serve can deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18). This is the kind of trust we must have in God. We must be prepared to lose our lives in defence of our faith.
St. Paul describes Christ as the “first fruit” of those who have fallen asleep. If Christ is the first, we are certain to follow after. This is why we should rejoice in our sufferings for Christ. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy; your reward is great in heaven. (Luke 6:23)
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach us to keep trusting in you when we are poor, hungry, weak, tired, and oppressed. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Jer. 17:5-8, Ps. 1:1-4,6, 1 Cor. 15:12,16-20, Luke 6:17,20-26).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu