Blessedness in Nothingness

 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

13 February 2022

 

First Reading: JER 17:5-8

Responsorial Psalm: PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Second Reading: 1 COR 15:12, 16-20

Gospel: LK 6:17, 20-26

 

Reflection

By: Sem. Carlo Alexis R. Malaluan

 

Blessed are you! The Gospel for today speaks of the Beatitudes. We often think of blessedness as moments when our cup overflows with bounty and goodness. For us, freedom from pain and suffering is the very definition of blessedness. One might say, "I am blessed with new car! I am blessed with a loving partner and beautiful children! I am blessed with a new house or a job promotion!" And the list goes on. All of these are in contrast with the life's difficulties.

But Jesus speaks of a different blessedness – of grace beyond human comprehension and understanding. The blessedness in nothingness. But how come one is called blessed when he experiences poverty, hunger, tears or persecution? Human suffering is a mystery which even words fail to give meaning. But Jesus didn't stop with the sad plight of human suffering but transcends and points out to a more important reality – our total dependence on God's mercy. The mystery of our humanity's meaninglessness and futility finds its fulfillment and significance in the mystery of God's providential love. It is God who gives the riches in our poverty, the joy in our sad and depressed moments, the satisfaction of the great hunger of our hearts, and the consolation when the world can no longer understand and accept us. For Jesus, this is what blessedness truly means – to be emptied from the world and filled with God's loving presence. For Jesus, blessedness is not a material gain but our total dependence of God.

One might say, "Oh! He is so blessed! He was hired to his dream job! Oh, she was so blessed! She won the lottery!" We might fall in the temptation of chasing worldly values yet losing our eyes on the real treasure – the kingdom of God. Without God, the riches, our happiness and praise of the world is but a vain and fading glory – tasteless and fruitless. Only when we have realized that it is God who bestows on us the blessings and graces in our lives, then we will see everything, no matter how big or small it might seem, as a moment of beatitude. What are these moments? When we are able to give something for others when we feel we are in the days of our nothingness – a friendly smile or a warm hug, we build the Kingdom of God. When we are able to be present for a grieving friend or a depressed stranger, we are able to satisfy the hunger for connections and healing. When we are able to cry and to find comfort those who are going through rough times, we become God's loving consolations in the lives of other people.

The Gospel provides a different portrait of the beatitudes – there is indeed blessedness in brokenness. We are blessed when we realize how God is at work in our lives. And blessedness is not stagnant nor dry – we are the first beneficiaries of God's blessings and we, in turn, transmit those graces in the lives of other people. And so the ripples of the beatitudes go on creating greater waves of beauty, life, and grace.

Prayer

Loving God, we praise and thank You for Your unfailing goodness. We are truly blessed even when we feel that life has been tough and our days have been dry for You have sustained us along the way. As we have come to the realization of the blessings in our lives, transform us to become "blessings" where we can bring Your love and grace in the lives of our brothers and sisters. Amen.