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A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 6: 20-26

Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

REFLECTION: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed literally means happiness . On the way towards happiness we will meet up with persecution. We will encounter grief, loss and misfortune, yet we always look forward, in hope and trust, to God.

God is telling us that the values of heaven and the values of the world are incompatible. God is asking us to put to good use our wealth, our material things, our joy, and our prosperity and to share the wealth that we have in service to others.

We should empty our hearts of all material wealth and seek happiness in a life filled with the Holy Spirit. When we are empty, the Holy Spirit will fill our needs . We must get rid of all our secular belongings that shut God out of our hearts --

PRAYER: Dearest, Lord, please help us not lose focus on you and may we be willing to lose all and be poor, so that we can be filled with your love. Amen

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