BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD

February 16, 2025 – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021625.cfm)

How blessed are you today? How do we also measure that experience of being blessed? Do we depend on the material things we enjoy? Or the spiritual graces that we receive? Or the satisfied and contented state of life?

Well, it really matters on how we understand blessing or being blessed. Commonly, when we think of a life that is blessed we think of material wealth and prosperity. This includes having a good family, a booming business, a successful career, good paying job, or having a good health. Thus, our easy understanding of being blessed has something to do with success and material possessions.

Yet, as we look at life in a bigger reality, we see that poverty is never a blessing. To live poor and being deprived of many things in life make us insecure with many things. The same goes with being persecuted, being sick, being mistreated or being rejected is never a blessing. If we are experiencing such life now, do you consider yourself being blessed?

However, there is a twist, a different perspective and understanding of “being blessed.” This is what our readings this Sunday offer us to realize and discern.

May I invite you then, that we revisit again the readings and see how the Lord guides and calls to understand blessing and our life from God’s perspective rather than from a materialistic point of view.

In the Book of Jeremiah in the first reading, the prophet reminds us to trust in the Lord and not to rely on human strength and capacity. True enough that we can exercise great power in terms of our intelligence, will, material wealth and influence yet all of these will pass away because we will all die, one day, sooner or later. This means that our dependence on these forms of material satisfactions can be a mere human arrogance and a false sense of security.

In fact, the author of the Psalm expressed the same message reminding us that the “counsel of the wicked” may appear enticing because it promises an easy way out, instant riches and satisfaction. Nevertheless, it is empty and we shall find no contentment because the “counsel of the wicked” makes us crave for more and gain for more for ourselves. This is actually the promise of addictions, in whatever form that may be, whether addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex, influence and fame, wealth and power (political or economic power).

In the same way, Jesus warns those who in the standard of the world are blessed such as the satisfied, the rich, the powerful, the popular and the influential.

The danger and evil now lies in the attitude of the heart that becomes independent from God. This is a heart that rejects God’s offer of friendship, mercy and love. Moreover, Jesus warns us when we tend to accumulate more wealth for ourselves at the expense of the poor, or when we consolidate power and influence at the expense of others, or when we seek to be praised and recognized by others by means of manipulations and abuse of power.

Such attitude of the heart is filled with arrogance and self-centeredness that has no need of God. Our successes and we, ourselves, have become ‘gods.’

But then, all of these would corrupt us because we will never be satisfied. We will thirst and hunger for more wealth, recognition and power which will also lead to our own destruction and those who are around us and those blocking our way to gain for more, as any form of addiction will also result in this way. Again, this is what Prophet Jeremiah reminds us, because those who turn away from the Lord are barren and empty.

However, in God’s perspective those who are poor, sick, persecuted, those who failed and rejected are blessed because it is in our poverty and difficulty that we realize our weakness and of our need of God.

Such insecurities bring us to understand that we are so small in this world and we are in need of God’s grace. That is why; Jesus addressed these Beatitudes to his disciples, assuring them of his presence. His disciples left everything, their families, jobs and the comfort of home. They went to places where sometimes they have to sleep without roof. Authorities ridiculed them and insulted them for following Jesus.

This is what Jeremiah affirmed as well as in our Psalm, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.” Thus, the very presence of God in our life is what makes us “blessed.” Since God favors the weak, poor, suffering and struggling in life, they are the ones who are blessed because they understand their need of God. Remember, God comes to us when we are ready to accept God in our life and to let God be our God.

God invites us then, to recognize our own poverty and anxieties because God blesses us with His presence. St. Paul reminds us, God is faithful. The resurrection of Jesus is our assurance. We might feel his absence at times when we are overwhelmed with difficulties and fears; yet, God remains with us.

The material wealth that we have gained, the influence and fame that we have received and the successes that we have achieved are signs of God’s grace and generosity. When we have these, may these lead us to humble ourselves and to recognize that these are gifts and we ought to share them to others.

And so, when we have received much, share the blessings to those who are in need without any expectation of a return of investment. If you are enjoying success in life, share the experience with those who failed. If you have achieved much in life, be humble enough to become an inspiration for others. In this way the Kingdom of God will truly be present among us, because we ourselves will become blessing to each one. Hinaut pa.