Luke 6:20-26 NRSVue

20Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

22“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

24“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25“Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.

26“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
God’s mercy means doing justice for the poorest and the most humiliated. Jesus meets families on his travels who are barely surviving and are defenceless against powerful landowners. We too see poor and powerless people today. Are we, his followers, defenders of the poor?

Reflection
What meaningful action will I do today to bring a smile to the lips of someone who is poor or broken? Christian living is neither an armchair occupation nor a spectator sport.