Message of 9-6-2022

Published: Wed, 09/07/22

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Wednesday: September 6, 2022

Message of the Day

". . . Christ ensures our freedom. In the desert he rejected the temptations of riches, magic, and power that would have drawn people after him like tamed animals. He did not come down from the cross. He rose from the dead in secret, and is recognized only by those who love him. In the Holy Spirit, he walks at everyone's side, but he waits for the response of loving faith, that 'Yes' like Mary's, by which our freedom is set free.
- Olivier Clement, The Roots of Christian Mysticism

(The risen Christ walks at your side. What kind of "yes" do you need to give him this day?)

Readings of the Day

1 COR 7:25-31; PS 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

LK 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
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.
For their ancestors treated the prophets
in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false
prophets in this way.”

USCCB lectionary

Reflection on the Scripture

“Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” —Luke 6:20

Moments before He was crucified and saved us, Jesus told Pontius Pilate: “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (Jn 18:36). Jesus put it mildly, for Jesus’ kingdom is as different from the world’s kingdoms as the heavens are above the earth (see Is 55:9). Consider the following differences:

GOD’S KINGDOM

The poor have God’s kingdom now (Lk 6:20).
The hungry, the weeping, and the persecuted are blessed (Lk 6:20-22).
Those married do not seek divorces (see 1 Cor 7:27).
Those in God’s kingdom recognize that “the world as we know it is passing away” (1 Cor 7:31).

THE WORLD’S KINGDOMS

The rich possess the world’s kingdoms and are possessed by them.
The full, the amused, and the popular are enjoying themselves (see Lk 6:24-26)
Those married often seek divorces and those who are
single often date with a view to promiscuity.

Those in the world’s kingdoms deny reality and history; they act as if this world will last forever.

There are several thousand more differences between God’s kingdom and the world’s kingdoms. Seek first and only God’s kingdom (see Mt 6:33).

Prayer: King Jesus, I sell everything to be in Your kingdom (Mt 13:44-46).

Promise: “The time is short.” —1 Cor 7:29

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