In this Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples: “Blessed are you who are poor, hungry, or weeping. Blessed are you when people hate, insult, and denounce you as evil.” 

Few of us feel blessed amid pain, sorrow, loss, or confusion; we may instead feel cursed, betrayed, sad, afraid, or angry with God. Yet Jesus tells us to rejoice, promising a great reward in heaven—though this assurance may not ease our suffering.

Jesus then continues with the “woes”: “Woe to the rich, for you have received your consolation; to the well-fed, for you will go hungry; to those who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep; and to those praised by others, for their ancestors treated the prophets likewise.”

We often take blessings for granted until hardship brings life’s woes. When  we  hunger for love, joy, hope, companionship, or spiritual nourishment, do we  see a blessing—or feel abandoned by God or angry with Jesus? Pain naturally draws our attention from our blessings to life’s fears and difficulties.

However even amid “woes,” we are blessed by loved ones, our communities, shelter, and food. God remains beside us, even when we cannot feel that presence; hopefully, family and friends also support us through difficult times.

 When life is difficult, focusing on present blessings can restore perspective. Though life may not be as we wish, each day brings gifts—even small ones such as a smile, a friend’s call, a sunset, or a loved one’s hug.

 

Amid life’s woes, seek beauty, laughter, or quiet—or ask God for a hug.  We may be surprised by the gift we receive.

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