Wednesday of week 23 in Ordinary Time 

Colossians 3:1-11
Psalm 144(145):2-3,10-13a
Luke 6:20-26

ICNITE YOUR PASSION FOR THE REIGN OF GOD

This world is bursting with challenges when it comes to embodying the reign of God! We’re caught up in the relentless pursuit of “getting ahead,” often believing that the only way to succeed is by stepping on others. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, where we are conditioned to think that winning means someone else has to lose. This cutthroat competition has overshadowed the beauty of collaboration and compromise, making us feel like being at the top is the only path to survival. Even the teachings of the Bible have been twisted by some preachers, suggesting that a person’s faith is measured by their wealth and happiness, rather than by their commitment to morality, justice, and service to others.

But here’s where it gets thrilling! To change this game, we need to take bold and consistent action! It’s not enough to just hear the Beatitudes; we must dive into action! We can be the voice for those struggling at the bottom, rally for their rights, and stand alongside them as Jesus did. It’s a bold call to arms—yes, we might face hate or exclusion ourselves when we choose to do this, but think of the transformational impact we can have!

So, let’s ignite our passion for living out the Beatitudes and ushering in God’s reign! This week, I’m diving deep into my life to uncover how I might be shielding myself from the realities of those who are poor, hungry, sad, or excluded. Do I ever resort to “white lies” to save face, thinking it’ll keep me safe? Is my anger toward others really a mirror reflecting my own flaws? How often does my pursuit of financial security overshadow the needs of those around me? Am I courageous enough to advocate for the marginalized, even if it means risking my own comfort?

Together, let’s challenge ourselves to reflect on how much we’re willing to risk to live out our faith and transform the narrative! It’s time to break free from the chains of self-preservation and step boldly into action! Are you ready?

Fr Joseph Osho