Awake

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 17 February 2019
First reading Jeremiah 17:5-8

Thus says the Lord:

“Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. ”

Second reading                                                         1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20

If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 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.

Gospel                                                                         Luke 6:17, 20-26

Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon.

Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

Reflection

By Grace B. Madriñan

“Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven!” – Luke 6:22-23

My mother’s childhood is a story you usually hear in MMK (“Maalaala Mo Kaya?” or “Do you remember?” if translated in English. It is a TV drama featuring real life stories). Life has been difficult for her as she grew up as the slave to her siblings and favorite subject of ridicule. They call her stupid and crazy because she was different and often quiet.  When pushed to her limits, she would often sigh, “Di natutulog ang Diyos! (Our God is not sleeping!)” They would laugh at her all the more saying she was talking to herself.

Fast forward to today, God redeemed my mother from previous distress and rewarded her for her sacrifices and humility.  All the things they used to tell my mother she will not achieve in her lifetime, she is now enjoying and maybe even more.  When we went back to her hometown last May, she almost tear up when she met with her other siblings and saw where she used to live.  I did not feel the hate at all but more of gratitude of seeing some of her siblings again.

My mother gave me a good inspiration to emulate whenever I am passing through difficult times. Her experience reminded me that God is in control of all things and He will not let any one of His children suffer for too long without enjoying the fruits of her labor.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus comforted those who are looked down by society and gave them hope assuring them of their place in heaven. It’s a reminder that all hardships are temporary and justice will be served in time.  My mother is right,  “Di natutulog and Diyos!”

Prayer

Father,  may we take comfort in knowing that You are always in control. Grant us the grace to surrender all our cares to You and trust in Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.