Epiphany 6C 2025
The Rev. Karen A. Calafat
I assume at least some of you came here today seeking blessing. Well, now you know how to find it – blessing – that is. Give away everything you own and move down on Lancaster to the tent city under the freeway. For Jesus preaches that God’s blessing is upon the poor, the hungry, and those who are weeping.
If this gospel reading doesn’t make you a little bit uncomfortable, you may not have been listening. It is easy to hear blessed are the poor, the hungry, the weeping when we identify in those categories – you know like “poor in confidence, poor in health, poor in friends or family;” or “hungry for justice, hungry for connection, hungry for peace,” but we are truly not among the poorest of the poor.
Consider for a moment the current state of global poverty. According to the World Bank, approximately 689 million people worldwide live on less than $1.90 a day—this is the global poverty line. Most of us spend more than that daily just to heat or cool our homes. This staggering statistic represents lives filled with struggle and hardship, lives that echo the blessed of whom Jesus speaks.
As we reflect on the challenges of poverty in our world, we cannot overlook the United Nations’ 2015 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 goals include a bold commitment to end poverty in all its forms everywhere by the year 2030. Jesus’ message speaks directly to this mission – emphasizing that the Kingdom belongs to the poor and urging us to work towards creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Jesus came for everyone, and Jesus spoke to everyone. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus’ sermon is delivered on the plain rather than on the mountain like in the gospel of Matthew, you know, The Sermon on the Mount that we studied a few months ago. SALT+ commentary explains the differences between the two Gospel and this sermon from Jesus: Matthew presents Jesus as a kind of new Moses and so sets his version of this sermon “up the mountain,” just as Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai. Luke, on the other hand, presents Jesus as a figure in the ancient prophetic tradition, less a new Moses and more a new Jeremiah. And while prophets may pray on mountaintops, as Jesus frequently does, their prophetic preaching is done down among the people, in the nit and grit of everyday life: “He came down with them (all of them – apostles, disciples, Jews, Gentiles, insiders, outsiders, women and men – Jesus came down to all people) and stood on a level place.” Prophets famously declare new life in such “level places” — think of Isaiah announcing, “the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain;” and likewise, think of Ezekiel’s famous “valley” of dry bones that God restores to life. As Luke tells it, Jesus is down and dirty: he walks, and heals, and teaches in the valleys and on the plains, meeting us exactly where we are.
Jesus’ teaching is a declaration of dignity for those often neglected by society. His sermon identifies and develops a vision of the new world. This new world is grounded in the scriptural affirmation of God as the Merciful One and in the perspective that God’s children reflect God’s graciousness in their own lives.
The words of the beatitudes become a living word when we let them wash over us: when we attune ourselves to the poor, the hungry, and the weeping around us.
We do not have to give everything away and live on the street, but we do have to care about those who do. If God’s blessing is upon those who are poor and hungry, shouldn’t we want to draw near them, to draw near where God is most present? Jesus encourages us to be in solidarity with them, to become potential instruments and channels of divine blessing on their lives.
How do we do that? Well, here are 3 suggestions and you can add your own to the list:
1)Vote every chance you get and keep in mind the impact on the poor, hungry and weeping of the actions and people being voted in.
2) Call your elected officials – daily, if necessary – to voice your approval or disappointment with their actions. You can call your mayor, council person, senator, representative and governor. It may not change their actions, but at least you have taken a moment to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.
3) Donate your time, talent or treasure to support agencies that feed the hungry, clothe or house the poor, and comfort those who weep. If you are not able to donate time, talent, or treasure, there is still something you can do: PRAY – pray for those who do that ministry and pray for those who receive the services of hundreds of agencies that address the needs of the poor and the hungry. And in our current situation of chaos, pray for those agencies being decimated by government slashes – hitting as close to home as Catholic Charities in Fort Worth who does so much to help asylum-seekers and refugees. That program just laid off 59 employees due to the end of federal funding. The need for prayer is great. Lord, have mercy!
So that was an eye toward those who are blessed. But in addition to the blessed that Jesus speaks of, there are also woes. What about the bad news, the “woes”? Are those addressed to us? Well, to the extent that we are rich, well fed, and happy, the answer is Yes — and we can receive Jesus’ “woes” as direct challenges calling us toward more just and generous ways of life. (SALT+)
Our lives are complicated, and most of us will fit into both of these categories — blessing and woe. To the extent that we find ourselves in need, or in despair, or left out, Jesus brings us words of blessing and encouragement. To the extent that we find ourselves in prosperity, or satisfaction, or privilege, Jesus brings us words of challenge, exhorting us to share God’s blessings with our neighbors, and with all of creation.
What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
In the words of the prophet Jeremiah and the Psalmist,
“Be like a tree!”
Be rooted in God. Trust in God who knows all that is going on.
Be like a tree – do not be fearful when the heat comes; when things get tough sink your roots deeper, stand tall, and bend with the wind.
Be like a tree – avoid being anxious and always bear fruit; live life fully even when difficulty is swirling all around. Bear the fruit of God’s love every chance you get.
Trees are something we see every day but may not even notice them, especially this time of year – stick season when the leaves are gone. When you find yourself overwhelmed or discouraged, look to the trees. Look to the trees as a reminder to stay rooted in God, to put your trust in God. Look to the trees as a reminder that “Blessed are all who trust in the Lord.”