Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

How well the readings for today have been chosen! The prophet, Jeremiah, after warning of the dire fate that awaits those who trust in men not God, comments on how blessed is the one who trusts in God.; the psalmist speaks of the happiness of those who find pleasure in the in the Law of Yahweh, and Luke pronounces blessed ‘you who are poor’ for theirs is ‘the kingdom of God.’ Why are they blessed? Because it is clear from all the gospels that Jesus’ (and therefore, God’s) special option is for the poor, the disadvantaged, the handicapped and excluded who of necessity place their trust in God. The image of God that Jesus presents to his followers is not that of a distant, severe law-giver but of a caring, loving and forgiving father.

Luke addresses his disciples directly listing four beatitudes. He tells them they are poor, hungry and sad now and in the future they will be persecuted, hated, excluded, abused, and denounced for Jesus’ sake. Nevertheless, possession of the kingdom is worth that. Indeed, they are exhorted to ‘rejoice ’and to ‘dance for joy’ for their reward will be great in heaven. Their endurance proves the depth of their commitment to Jesus and his Kingdom message.

What is ‘the kingdom of God’? We are told that the poor possess it and are blessed in its possession despite the dire consequences. The expression, ‘kingdom of God’ is a metaphor that occurs frequently in the Gospels. It is paradoxical for it seems to refer to both a present and a future reality. The Pharisees were prone to concentrate on externals and ignore the more important internal and relational considerations. To them Jesus said ‘The kingdom of God is in your midst’ (Lk 17:21) no doubt emphasising internal and relational considerations rather than external ones, the ‘signs’ they asked about.

“Kingdom” is a metaphor, a comparison. Here we are probing a deep and complex mystery. That is why so many parables in the Gospels begin ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like ...’The Parable of the Pounds (Lk 19:11-27) suggests that the coming of the kingdom is a future event. We wonder, then, how the kingdom could be both a present relationship and a future event. That is not all. In Luke 13:18-21 we find the kingdom compared to a mustard seed and to yeast in dough. In both there is a growth process. Deep mystery here!

 ‘Thy Kingdom come’  For what are we praying? Surely it is that our world might with God’s grace, Become a place where we find people of all races and religions living in peace and harmony, dealing justly with each other in matters great and small, and mutually caring for each other.

What are we to learn from all this? How do we use the wealth we possess? Do we do good or evil? Do we share what we have with those in need?