6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Jeremiah the prophet of God has a strong message for us. 
In his message he declared, “Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings… whose heart turns away from the Lord.” On the other hand, he says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters. It fears no heat or drought.” 
 
Human beings are sometimes unstable, unreliable, not trustworthy, subject to change due to different experiences, conditions or moods. God can always be trusted; you can rely or depend on him. You can trust God to keep his promise but not so with human beings. Politicians change their views in order to be elected. Couples who enter into marriage sometimes let themselves down and destroy the trust they have for each other. Corporations sometimes manipulate their customers in order to make a profit. 
The Psalm of this day shares similar instruction: 
“Happy are those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked. …nor sit in company of scoffers. Rather the law of the LORD is their joy: God’s law they study day and night. Like Prophet Jeremiah the Psalmist says, “They are like a tree planted near streams of water that yields its fruit in season…”
The Psalmist is advising us to avoid the influence of sinners but rather follow the Law of God or his teaching/the Word of God which enables us to bear good fruit for God. 
 
We are encouraged to study the Word of God, day and night and let it be a joyful spiritual exercise/experience. How often do I read the Bible? The recommendation of the Psalmist is, DAY AND NIGHT, is this your practice or standard?
 
In the gospel, Luke gives us his version of the beatitude/sermon on the mount/sermon on the plain.
 
 
Luke’s version is divided into two. The first part talks about being poor depending on God, (going back to Jeremiah, warning us not to put our trust in man but in God) hungry for righteousness, weeping, sacrifice of holy and obedient life or facing persecution for Christ’s sake. These bring great joy/blessings.
 
The second, in contrast, woe to those who are rich, filled, and spoken well of by the world. People who live such lifestyles do not depend on God. They depend on wealth, pleasure and human praise/acclamation. The reward for such is short lived and ends in this world. We should strive for eternal blessings/rewards that come from total faith, trust and confidence in our loving God.