EPIPHANY VI 2019

Lazarus at the Rich Man's Gate

• Jeremiah 17:5-10  • 
• Psalm 1  • 
• 1 Corinthians 15:12-20  • 
• Luke 6:17-26   '

'Blessed are the poor' is the opening line in a list of 'Beatitudes' (or 'Blessings') that are commonly identified with Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew's Gospel. In this week's readings, however, the passage is taken is from Luke's 'Sermon on the Plain'. The difference between the two Gospels is not simply geographical location. Luke's Sermon is much shorter than Matthew's, just 26 verses compared to 3 chapters. Matthew lists nine Blessings, Luke repeats only four of these, worded a little differently, and then he adds a list of 'Woes'. While the Blessings offer consolation to the poor, the Woes issue stern warnings to the rich. Luke thus presents Jesus as preaching a complete reversal of values. The things that usually lead us to pity other people --  poverty, hunger, grief and ignominy -- have positive value, and the things that lead is to congratulate others -- wealth, health and social status -- are dangers.

St Francis Renounces Worldly Goods

How are we to understand this reversal? Can we really believe it? The contemporary world is one built on economic growth, and our lives are structured around prosperity and accomplishment. These are the goals we encourage in our children. Is this wrong?
The answer is 'Yes and No'. The Gospel echoes the Old Testament passage set for this Sunday. in which Jeremiah also contrasts those who are 'blessed' and those who are 'cursed'. But a key addition is 'trust'. The cursed are not those who are rich and powerful, but those who place their trust in their wealth and power. The difference is emphasized later in Luke's Gospel, when Jesus expressly says that 'where your treasure is, there will your heart be also'. The distinction is crucial, but in practice not so easily drawn. One of the great temptations we face in a rich society such as ours is to believe that we can control wealth and power, when the reality is that they control us. Better to stay poor, St Francis and many others have thought, in affirmation of truth at the heart of the Beatitudes.