September 7, 2016
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. (Luke 6:20-26)
Jesus’ message to His disciples: Keep at it, it will all be worth it in the end.
What Jesus asks of His disciples, of us, is difficult. We are asked to sacrifice, carry our crosses, think of others first, and “swim against the tide” of society. A good disciple will at times be poor and hungry. The work can leave us feeling empty, and we may feel like an outcast.
Didn’t St. Teresa of Calcutta experience periods of darkness during her lifetime?
Today we hear Jesus’ words of hope and inspiration to His disciples: Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
Stay the course – the ultimate reward makes it all worthwhile.
From the Deacon's Desk 