6th Sunday of Ordinary Time -February 12, 2022

There is so much we can talk about in our Gospel tonight.  The Beatitudes, have been the subject of countless books, articles and reflections.  I will break open only a portion of this rich pericope, because it could be studied and pondered for ages.
First issue: let’s take the issue of Rich and Poor…those spoken by Jesus were not the same culturally as we in 21^st Century would understand.  They would better be translated in our culture as “greedy” and “socially unfortunate” They have little to nothing to do with economy or money, and everything to do with self-understanding and self-worth and power.  The rich could and did control the poor…cultural status granted control…

Second issue: A Beatitude…is a culturally common mnemonic teaching method in Jesus’ time.  Widely used by Rabbinical scholars to help in memorizing texts…so for Jesus to use this method of communication would have not been a surprise.  The surprise came in that he flipped its common usage upside down.  There are examples all over our Sacred texts of beatitudes…today’s reading from Jeremiah…”blessed are those who put their trust in God…”
What is unique about the teachings of Jesus is they present holiness as in direct opposition to how the world would define holiness. 
We still do it today…it’s the basis of the “prosperity Gospel” ….if you do good things, if you are right in the eyes of God then good things will be yours.  God’s blessing is on those who are rich, full filled, satisfied, who have it all together…
Jesus says…how untrue is that understanding of God…
Why?
Because if we do not stand in constant need of God’s redemption, then we have no need for God!  (REPEAT)
We say God is love…often and in many ways…but if we don’t need to be loved, then we do not need God.

John Foley the Jesuit says….A person has to be open and empty in order to let God and others come in.  In order to love and be loved we need to have space at the center of who we are!”
If that seems confusing let me offer this insight.
A little over 10 years ago, I went to prison, thinking I would offer whatever humble beliefs I held regarding holiness with those who were living inside our prison system.
And now I can honestly say, some of the holiest people, some of the most nonjudgmental, and open people I have ever encountered I have met living their lives in prison.
I plan on writing a book after I retire the title will be something like this:  I came to Prison to share my belief in God, and ended up meeting God there!
Why is that?
I believe it is because I have met people there who understand at an almost molecular level….that they need God.  When one stands naked in the cell and has absolutely nothing, one quickly realizes that all we have is essentially and fundamentally a gift.  Every moment, every thought, every relationship, every penny, everything…it’s all a gift.  And in those moments, we either reject the concept of a God or we accept our dependence on God and utter our response of surrender.
I was speaking with my Spiritual Director recently and he shared an invaluable insight in this regard.
He said there are two great movements in the Spiritual life.  The first is the movement to realize, understand and come to believe that there truly is a God.
The second great movement is to realize, understand and believe that we are not it!
I believe the Beatitudes invite us deep into those two movements.
If we do not stand in constant need of God’s redeeming love, grace and mercy, then we have no need for God.