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GOSPEL | Luke 6:17, 20-26
Jesus came down with the Twelve
and stood on a stretch of level ground
with a great crowd of his disciples
and a large number of the people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.
And raising his eyes toward his disciples he 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.
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.”
EVERY WEEK QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Would you rather be admired in this life or rewarded in the next?
Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain presents a radical reversal of values. His words challenge everything the world teaches us about success, comfort, and approval. The “blessings” and “woes” in this passage confront us with a question: Do we measure our lives by God’s standard or by the world’s?
The world tells us that wealth, food, laughter, and popularity are the marks of a good life. Jesus, however, flips this thinking upside down. He declares that poverty, hunger, sorrow, and rejection can be blessings when they lead us to depend on God. Conversely, wealth, comfort, pleasure, and praise can be dangerous if they make us self-sufficient and blind to our need for Him.
Modern research confirms what Jesus is saying. Studies show that wealth does not lead to lasting happiness—once basic needs are met, increased income has little effect on well-being (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2021). In fact, material abundance often leads to spiritual complacency. A Barna Group study found that people in wealthier nations are less likely to pray daily or attend religious services, reflecting how comfort can deaden our awareness of spiritual hunger.
Jesus’ warning about seeking human approval is also piercing. Social media has created a culture where many chase “likes” and validation, yet studies show that constant social approval leads to anxiety, depression, and a fragile sense of self-worth (Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2020). When we build our identity on worldly praise, we become slaves to the opinions of others rather than faithful to the truth.
The Catechism (CCC 2544) teaches: “Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids them ‘renounce all that they have’ for his sake and that of the Gospel.” This does not mean that being rich or happy is inherently wrong, but it does mean that we must examine our hearts: Are we more attached to worldly security than to God? Do we seek comfort over holiness? Popularity over truth?
Jesus’ call is clear: we must be willing to endure discomfort, rejection, and even suffering for the sake of the Kingdom. Are we prepared to choose heavenly joy over earthly ease?
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Detaching from worldly comforts: Jesus warns against relying too much on wealth, comfort, or pleasure. Are there areas in your life where these things take priority over God? How can you practice detachment?
Embracing rejection for Christ: Have you ever held back from living or speaking your faith because you feared what others might think? How can you grow in courage to stand for truth, even when it’s unpopular?
Seeking true fulfillment: Jesus says the hungry will be satisfied and the sorrowful will laugh. How can you shift your focus from temporary pleasures to the lasting fulfillment only God can give?
LIVE IT
Going around, affirm one particular way that person has inspired you by his/her willingness to prioritize God over worldly success, comfort, or approval. Encourage him/her.
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