Luke’s presentation of the Sermon on the Mount consists of contradictions between two classes of people: the poor vs. the rich, the hungry vs. the satisfied, those grieving vs. those laughing, the outcast vs. the socially acceptable. These highlight that the values of the Kingdom of God are opposite to the values of the world. In the new world order, the first will be last, and the last will be first.
A similar tone is present in Mary’s Magnificat and Zechariah’s Canticle: the lowly (poor) will be extolled by God, the hungry will be filled with good things, while the rich will be sent away empty.
Gospel • LUKE 6:20-26
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. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”
SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2020,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.