Blessed are the gay

     From time to time I have made comments about those that are blessed with wealth. I think God wants everyone to have the fruits of their labor, the finer things of life, a car in the garage and two chickens in every pot. There are those, and many in the present US administration that feel wealth is a blessing from God. Perhaps true, but they flip the coin to say that those who are poor are not blessed or loved less by God and that they perhaps sinned and that is the cause of their poverty. THAT is the furthest from the truth. Whatever gifts, talents or money we are graced with are intended to be used by us for the glory of God, to love our brothers and sisters and to be a fulcrum by which we can love and help others. 

      The fixation on wealth essentially makes money your God. It is the ultimate repudiation of Christianity and probably a great many other religions as well. What is particularly heinous is the notion that you deserve it more than someone else. It is a devilish and decidedly earthly based heresy that the rich buy into as if wealth can buy happiness or salvation. The ledges of life are full of people who found wealth to be a hindrance and an obstacle to real happiness and salvation. I still recall the troubled life of Christina Onassis. How many lottery winners have squandered their 'wealth' or succumb to the evils of drugs or dissolute living.

        It is more likely that you become rich by a twist a fate, luck or the hard work of others on your behalf. While I would have no compunctions myself enjoying any wealth that I may have, it is incumbent on us to use whatever we have to raise up the kingdom, to glorify God and to help others in need without judgment.

       As to the reading today and all the things we are 'blessed with' we should know what the intention of any gift or grace is for. To witness and raise up, to love and help others. Whatever gift you are graced with, money, talent, being gay, intellectual ability, poet, comedian, or even challenges we may think of in life, all of these are to be used for the kingdom. They are not to be selfishly hoarded or abused. We should never think they are for us alone. We should never think that we received such a gift because God loves us more than someone else. 

          Live life to the full embracing your gifts and preaching the Good News with our talents and treasures.

Luke 6:17-26

 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
   for yours is the kingdom of God. 
‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
   for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
   for you will laugh.

 ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 
‘But woe to you who are rich,
   for you have received your consolation. 
‘Woe to you who are full now,
   for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
   for you will mourn and weep.

 ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.