15.02.2004 Sunday 6th Ordinary Season - Year C
First Reading: Jeremiah 17, 5-8
Psalm 1
Second Reading: I Corinthians 15, 12, 16-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 6, 17, 20-26
Jeremiah's prophecy is repeated by the psalmist. The images they use speak
for themselves: the tree in the desert for lack of water, is constantly at risk
and cannot grow, whereas the tree growing by the river flourishes in every season.
Similarly the man who trusts in men is constantly at risk because every man
is mortal, a sinner, fragile and limited and cannot give support and nourishment
to the life of anyone. Jeremiah even says: "Cursed is the man who trusts
in man", and he says it from experience. Whoever places their life in the
hands of another man will be deluded. And in the same way, we must not desire
that others place their trust entirely in us. They will certainly be disappointed.
What comes to mind here, are those mothers and fathers who say that they live
for their children. And it is those very children who try to free themselves
for their parents weigh heavily on them like a yoke or a chain. If those parents
lived "for the Lord" as the Scriptures teach, they would not impose
their presence on them as if they were some divinity and their presence would
give them a sensation of freedom and peace. Man should not trust in man or in
himself in the desire to be a safe haven for others.
When I meet a person who trusts in the Lord and lives for Him, I discover him
to be free and to give freedom. That is how I would like to live. I have to
struggle constantly against the pagan tendency that I carry within myself, but
it is worth it. I wish to trust in the Lord when I ask someone for advice. The
Lord will inspire them! I trust in the Lord even when I go to the doctor: the
Lord will provide light and science to the advantage of my health for the time
that He wishes me to collaborate in His Kingdom. I trust in the Lord even when
someone comes to me for advice. I entrust Him with the problem and try to listen:
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord"!
Jesus says these same things, but in different words; he repeats them for his
disciples and the crowds who are nourished by his words: "blessed are you
poor because yours is the kingdom of God".
The poor who think of Jesus and stand before him are people who have learned
not to trust in man! They no longer trust in the rich or the powerful. They
know that the rich will take advantage of them and the powerful will dominate
them: why trust in them? Why trust in their greed and their arrogance? Their
promises are vain, their propaganda deceitful. The poor do not rely on the promises
of the rich or the powerful! They know that only in God is there love for the
weak and the poor and therefore, they trust in Him, they await the riches of
His word and the strength of his Spirit! The poor are hungry and cry, but continue
to hope in the providence of the Father. Whoever does not confide in Him, falls
prey to charlatans, profiteers, perhaps even those magicians and fortune-tellers
who promise health and well-being, but are really making us their slaves. Whoever
trusts in the Lord is persecuted by men: he is not like them, he does not give
in to their flattery. They envy his freedom and serenity.
The poor who trust in God are able to believe in Jesus, to accept him and recognise
him as Lord of their lives even though he was denied and crucified. They are
the only true friends of God, the only ones in whom God can be well pleased
and who can be relied upon. Because of their faith they will be kept away from
where important decisions are made for society, they will be rejected and derided,
for at the centre of their hearts is One who was derided and rejected!
Jesus has serious words and warnings for those who trust in riches and in man's
pleasure, taking life in this world as entertainment. Material riches and well-being
do not last for ever. What a pity if men should envy us for those things that
pass away!
The only true reality is the future one, the one that remains for ever. Jesus
rose again so that our sight and our hearts should always be turned towards
eternal things. Jesus rose again and we firmly believe this, so that our hope
will not go in search of limited or passing things and we will not be disappointed.
It is important to St Paul that we know the true, solid consequences of our
faith in the resurrection of Jesus. The first consequence is to believe that
we too will rise again, and therefore to live seriously, submitting to the Lord's
judgement and being obedient to His word. We trust in Him and will not let ourselves
be attracted by the lies of those who want to see us tied only to the things
of the world, so that we can be controlled like puppets. Blessed is the man
who trusts in the Lord.