Jeremiah 17:5-8 1 Corinthians15:12, 16-20 Luke 6:17, 20-26
Today’s Gospel, from Luke, is presented in a way that models the narrative structure often used by the Old Testament Prophets - who often preached about blessings and woes. Today’s First Reading, from Jeremiah, is a perfect example. It is paired with today’s gospel to highlight this particular style. In biblical language this usage is sometimes referred to as “the tradition of the two ways”:
Way #1 - Follow the precepts of God and you will be blessed.
Way #2 - Ignore God and follow only an attraction to worldly wealth and power and you will eventually be miserable.
But how are we to understand the specifics of what Jesus is saying in this gospel passage? Here is a way of interpreting this reading that has helped me understand. Knowing what we know about God’s exceptional empathy, compassion and love, when we read:
Blessed are you…poor,
Blessed are you…hungry,
Blessed are you…weeping,
Blessed are you…hated,
We know that God will always care for people who are suffering in those ways; if not in this life, then certainly in the next.
But what about the statements of “Woe”; how are we to interpret them? Is it a sin to be rich…to have a good meal…to laugh…to want everyone to like you? I don’t think so! Well then, what gives?
I suggest thinking of the “woe statements” in these words:
Woe to you who gather riches by cheating others or treating them unjustly.
Woe to you who fill your bellies, but give no thought to those who are hungry.
Woe to you who laugh at others…call them suckers, or look down upon them.
Woe to you who are so fixated on being “liked” that you do not have the courage to speak truth to power, or the will to make an unpopular choice, even when you know it is the right choice.
The Holy Spirit always directs us toward justice and peace, tempered with mercy and guided by love. I believe this is what Jesus is trying to teach us in this passage. Are we listening?
by: Bill Miller
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