Gospel Reflection for Sunday, February 16, 2025

Blessed are you.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace and blessings.

Some of us know the Beatitudes well, while others might be less familiar with them. They keep showing up throughout the liturgical year, and we could say they’re like little snapshots of Jesus himself—images of who he truly is. He was revealing his real self. As St. Paul said, “Though he was rich, he became poor for our sake so that all of us might be enriched,” and he gave up the immediate joy offered to him by taking up his cross without fear of disgrace. His openness to God didn’t let him live in self-satisfaction (remember when he asked the judge, “Why do you call me good?”), nor did he settle for just the minimum of obedience. He lived a new kind of justice—the kind that God gives and expects. Now, Jesus Christ, “holy and happy,” is the Son of the Resurrection, who has overcome both his death and mine.

Of course, even though the Beatitudes are well known, we don’t always fully grasp their message. The two versions—in the Gospel of Matthew and in Luke, which we read this Sunday—have led some to think that God is a bit harsh, as if to say that to be happy you must suffer or that you have to cry in order to laugh. But that isn’t the deeper meaning. Instead, it might help to consider our own human experience. If you’ve never known deep sadness, it’s hard to understand the comfort God offers. And if you’ve never cried, like Peter did when he felt betrayed, it can be difficult to appreciate the solace he received from God.

We can also see this spirit in the Beatitudes in the parable of the rich man, Epulón, and the poor Lazarus. The one who wept on earth found comfort in heaven, while the one who seemed happy ended up weeping because he never made the most of his life. That was what Christ had in mind when he pronounced blessings on his disciples and curses on the self-satisfied.

“Your reward in heaven will be great,” says Jesus, yet even here on earth we can feel a bit of that joy. St. Paul experienced many hardships as a follower of Christ—he was often close to death—but he also felt an overflowing comfort and strength from Christ, growing with every bit of suffering he endured. The Kingdom of God isn’t like a horizon that seems to move farther away as we walk toward it. It’s a gift that’s close at hand—inside us or right beside us—and if we open our hearts, we can sense its presence.

Not everyone lives by the values of the Kingdom. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that we can choose to live by the ways of the world, as many do, or follow the way God invites us to live. Whether it’s a curse or a blessing is up to each of us. The two paths—life and death—that the book of Deuteronomy speaks of lie before us, and our choice is not trivial. Often, focusing on the wrong values leads to a bad outcome. We might work too hard for nothing, chasing vain ambitions, only to end up empty and disappointed—a life without meaning, which the prophet calls “cursed.”

On the other hand, anyone who lives by God’s commandments—that is, by following what God is calling us to do—will be blessed, even if many laugh at them. They might not receive much praise here on earth, but their eternal life is secure because the final judgment belongs to God, not to us. It’s definitely worth making the right choice.

If last week St. Paul reminded us of the core points of our faith, today he highlights the resurrection of Christ. “Christ has risen from the dead: the first among many,” he declares. And after these words, we all said together, “Word of God.” Because it truly is a living Word—a Word that brings light. It’s a joyful announcement of all that God has done for us. This resurrection gives us courage and hope, especially when we must say goodbye to someone we love. It’s true that we are made for meeting, not for separation—certainly not for final farewells. But thanks to the death and resurrection of the Lord, we can see this reality in a new light.

We know what God has planned for us, and His plan is one of love. We will experience salvation; we won’t simply fade away into nothingness, because we are born from love, and we are called to encounter Love. This belief helps us avoid seeing everything as bleak, even when death comes near. There is always hope, because Christ has overcome every enemy—even death.

In light of these readings, perhaps we can ask ourselves a few questions:
• What am I building my life on?
• What goals have I set for myself?
• Am I willing to change something or make a significant sacrifice?
• How do I face the suffering in my life?
• Do I try to please others at the expense of my own conscience?
• Am I ready to follow Christ, even when times or circumstances aren’t favorable?

Jesus listened to a huge crowd, eager to hear his words. Many were simply curious, but only a few stayed until the end. So, do I belong to that crowd that just hears the Gospel, or have I chosen to be a true disciple? What does Christ’s resurrection mean to me? How does it impact my daily life and my relationships with God and others? Is it a reason for joy?

The certainty of Christ’s resurrection is what allows the poor to inherit the Kingdom, the hungry to be satisfied, and those who cry to one day laugh with joy. Let us ask the Lord that this truth of our faith inspires us to live with confidence, knowing that hope goes beyond this earthly life and reaches into eternal life. Amen.

Your brother in faith,