Greetings on this the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 & 6; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26
Cursed (means afflicted)
Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
In general there is a broad application of the word cursed across every culture and every age. In its simplest form and as used today in our sacred readings, it can be summed up as… To be CURSED is to be LIMITED. To be cursed is to take the inferior option.
Blessed (means made holy)
In our catechism we define blessed as God’s gift of life and man’s acceptance of it as he shares his own blessed life with us.
Jeremiah Made a list
The prophet Jeremiah made a list for us of what it means to be “limited” (cursed, afflicted).
- “LIMITED” is the one who trusts in human beings.
- “LIMITED” is the one who seeks his strength in flesh.
- “LIMITED” is the one whose heart turns away from the LORD.
- “LIMITED” is the one who is like a barren bush in the desert.
- “LIMITED” is the one who enjoys no change of season.
- “LIMITED” is the one who stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth.
Jeremiah Made another list
The prophet Jeremiah made a list for us of what it means to be “LIBERATED” (blessed, made holy).
- “LIBERATED” the one who trusts in the LORD.
- “LIBERATED” whose hope is the LORD.
- “LIBERATED” are like a tree planted beside the waters.
- “LIBERATED” are like a tree stretching out its roots to the stream.
- “LIBERATED” have no fears of the heat when it comes.
- “LIBERATED” have leaves that stay green.
- “LIBERATED” are like trees in the year of drought it shows no distress.
- “LIBERATED” are those who still bears fruit.
Our second reading today, reminds us of the ultimate liberation.
But now Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Responsorial Psalm One
Today we are privileged to chant the first Psalm. It sits in the front of all psalms. And it starts with the blessed-curse contrast.
To be blessed… made holy… is the one who does not seek the limited option.
Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in company with scoffers.
Life is hard, Pick your hard
Life is a journey of good times and bad times. People in addiction recovery, people at the gym, people on a diet, and all other manners of difficulties accept the saying without a question… Life is hard, Pick your hard.
- It is hard to diet, but harder to be sick.
- It is hard to go through recovery, but way better than addiction.
- It is hard to get in shape, but harder to be the shape of inability.
It is a cursed life (limited) to rely on humans, to ignore / reject the blessings of the Lord. It is a tasteless without the bouquet life. Missing depth and color and aroma and all the sensory abilities of goodness (see Jeremiah’s list).
Personal Reflection
I have to remind myself Christianity isn’t a self-help philosophy. But yet it is in a certain way. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. My blessings and my path of holiness is from the Lord. And it is a good life and a happy life. Troubles? LOL.
I have plenty of troubles! Lots, oodles, plenitude of yuck!!
The path of being made holy
I choose the way Jesus offers toward him and the Father. I am aware of the contrasts and the tension within me to seek holiness in contradiction to relying upon myself, taking advantage, making alliance and amassing acquisition.
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.
I choose my hard path. I choose Jesus.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021625.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Enjoyable post, well done
Thank you!
Fantástico 💯
Thank you, dear friend.