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.” (Lk 6:20-23a)
Because of our human nature, we are a people who, generally, look for immediate gratification. If there is something that will please us right now or far in the future, we will choose right now. If we can get what we have always desired tomorrow or in twelve years, we will choose tomorrow. It is just a part of our mortal makeup.
That is why we are driven for satisfaction, for wealth, for success, for power, for prestige, and for a host of other earthly rewards.
We do not want to be poor, or hungry, or sad, or hated and insulted.
We want to be rich, full, happy, admired, and praised.
That’s not going to cut it, though.
If we have all that the world has to offer, we lose sight of our heavenly goal. We shy away from the path. We abhor having to take up our cross and follow the Lord.
If the world is praising us, it might not mean that we are doing a good job. It might mean that we have lost the way.
FAITH ACTION: As you pray today, ask God to reveal to you your many spiritual blessings. Instead of looking for rewards from this world, rejoice in what you have received from God.