Attention to the poor

13May
He came down with the disciples and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

‘Blessed are you who are poor,
  for yours is the kingdom of God.
‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
  for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
  for you will laugh.
‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

‘But woe to you who are rich,
  for you have received your consolation.
‘Woe to you who are full now,
  for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
  for you will mourn and weep.
‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
- Luke 6:17-26


Jesus doesn’t preach from a mountaintop here. He comes down and stands on level ground, right in the middle of the crowd. That detail in Luke is easy to overlook, but it’s important. He’s not above anyone. He’s with the poor, the sick, the grieving, and the curious. And what he says is just as striking: “Blessed are you who are poor… who are hungry now… who weep now.” And then, “Woe to you who are rich.” It’s a tough teaching, but it’s not meant to shame; it’s meant to open our eyes. To help us see the world as God sees it, and to invite us to live accordingly.


As I read Luke this week, I couldn’t help but think of the new pope;Chicago-born, now Pope Leo XIV. His focus on humility, compassion, and attention to the poor stood out to me as a kind of living echo of this passage. Not flashy, not loud, just steady, grounded, and close to those who are often overlooked. A reminder that our calling often leads us to the same places; close to those who are hurting, overlooked, or in need.


Musical Reflection - Blessed are the Merciful - The Porter's Gate


Loving God, You came to dwell among us, not above us. Open our eyes to see as you see, and our hearts to love as you love. Help us to stand where Jesus stood, among the hungry, the grieving, and the overlooked, and to carry your presence with humility and grace. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

New TestamentHumilityEasterGod's Grace

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