Friends, today we are celebrating the sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C. Our Mother church invites us to place our trust in God and his only son, Jesus Christ. Through his resurrection, Christ conquered death and strengthened our faith and hope of eternal life. The readings of today focus on themes of trust, resurrection, and true happiness. Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus each offer insights into how we should live our lives in faith. These reflections explore what it means to trust in God, the hope found in Jesus’ resurrection, and the blessings and woes of our earthly lives. Lord, help us to trust in You and not in ourselves. Strengthen our faith in the resurrection and guide us to seek true happiness in Your blessings.
Friends, the first reading of today from the book of Jeremiah reminds us of the consequences of trusting solely in our abilities, our human strength, and human beings; “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” Through this, we are reminded that all these will fail us because our success and survival do not depend only on them. Brothers and sisters, we must ask ourselves, in who, and in what have I put my trust? Placing our trust in God is the best approach to life. Certainly, we must make efforts and do what we must do as humans. However, we must not forget that it is God who sustains, confirms, and blesses our ways and efforts. We must be conscious of the fact that without him, we are nothing, because “God is all, man is nothing, God is all, man is nothing.” To place one’s trust in God is a great source of blessing and interior joy.
Friends, Jeremiah warns us today against trusting in human strength. He compares those who trust in humans to a shrub in the desert, dry and struggling to survive. This shows that relying on ourselves or others can leave us feeling empty and lost. Instead, Jeremiah calls us to trust in God. Those who trust in God are like a tree planted by water, always green and fruitful. This image helps us understand that God’s support brings life and strength. Trusting in God means turning to Him in all situations. It means praying and seeking His guidance.
Friends, in the second reading of today, Paul equally makes the same point. Our hope must not be placed on this world or our efforts alone, but on Christ who through his resurrection has strengthened our hope of eternity. Paul tells us; “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.” In other words, life does not end here. There is something beyond this world, and only our hope in the resurrected Christ will take us there. Simply put, our journey with Christ does not end here, it transcends this world. Brothers and sisters, without the resurrection, our faith is useless, and we have no hope. Paul’s message shows us that the resurrection is central to our faith. It gives us hope for eternal life with Jesus. This hope helps us face difficulties and challenges with confidence. Believing in the resurrection means trusting that Jesus conquered death. It means having faith that we too will have eternal life.
Friends, in the Gospel of today, Jesus talks about the blessings of the poor and hungry. He contrasts their future joy with the sorrow of the rich and satisfied. Jesus warns those who are comfortable now that their happiness is temporary. This message teaches us to look for true happiness in God. It reminds us that worldly comforts do not last. The gospel of this Sunday encourages us to trust in God and seek His blessings, knowing that He cares for those in need.
Friends, the readings of today remind us to trust in God’s strength, hold on to the hope of the resurrection, and seek true happiness in Him. Brothers and sisters, let us deepen our faith and rely on God’s guidance in all aspects of our lives. It is Christ’s song that calls us to trust firmly in God while looking forward to eternity. These blessings are for those who are totally and willingly ready to place everything in God’s hands. The beatitudes also remind us that all we do and work for here will gain us eternal life. That is if we do them well and for the sake of God. Friends, the good news for us today is simple, nothing in this world can rob us of our peace of mind and interior joy because our trust is not in this world, nor man. Rather, our trust is in the crucified and risen, Christ, the savior and hope of the world. The psalmist summarized this good news for us; “Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.” The Lord be with you …. May the Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Have a Blessed Sunday and a Fruitful New Week to You
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Remember we are pilgrims of Hope!
By: Fr. Ben Chola mccj
Aka Omuntu Wa Bantu
