In Luke’s version of the Beatitudes, he has only four blessings and he adds four woes. Did you notice that all the things that we work forty or more hours a week to give to our family are considered “woes”? So is Jesus saying we should not have savings for the future, food for the kids, a happy, safe environment, or a good reputation?
I suspect that the disciples and the others listening to Jesus wondered the same thing. The values of this world are not necessarily the values of God’s Kingdom. Jesus himself is the extreme example of reversing worldly values: His death was not a tragic ending, but the saving action that brought us forgiveness and new life in the Resurrection.
So how do we experience the blessings of the poor, the hungry, the mourning, or the unpopular? Do we have the faith to let go of self-reliance and to trust in Jesus? How much money does it take to meet the needs of our family? Are we really helping our children if we give them anything they want? We buy them nice clothing; do we teach them to see Jesus in others? How can we say this is all too idealistic, and still claim to believe in the Resurrection?
I don’t expect everyone to go around saying “woe is me.” Some of the happiest people are those who live simple lives of faith and trust in God. When we learn to trust the Lord and love one another, we not only can see Jesus in the poor or the lonely, he can also be seen in us.
Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications