Blessed Are You…
Why do we need to ask for help? Br. Piotr Skibinski, O.P., shares a Gospel reflection for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lk 6:17, 20–26) in our weekly video series.
If I stretch out my open hand, I am ready to receive something. If my eyes are open, I can see other people. But if I clench my hand in a gesture of triumphant satisfaction, I am not able to receive anything. And, if I close my eyes in a sense of fulfillment and comfort, I am not able to see anyone.
And maybe this is what Jesus is talking about at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount in Luke’s Gospel, which we hear this Sunday. "Blessed are you who are poor, hungry..." When I am in need and I do not have everything under control, and when things happen to me that I cannot handle on my own, there is a good chance that I will stretch out my hand asking for help. And what many would consider a sign of weakness will be actually an acknowledgment of my dependence, which will allow me to discover and experience the presence and goodness of God.
"Blessed are those who cry…" If my eyes are open and I look attentively at those around me, I will be able to see them as they are—and so, alongside joy and beauty, I will see their problems, I will be sensitive to their difficulties, I will often cry over the harm or evil that I see and I will seek to help appropriately.
But, if I accept as true the illusion that I can have everything under control, that I am independent and must protect myself in every way, I will not reach out my hand, convinced that I do not need anyone's help, or that I cannot count on anyone. If I close my eyes, indulging in my own fulfillment and security, limiting myself only to what is pleasant, I will not see how far from peaceful days may be those around me.
If you are brave enough to accept the truth, you will see that many things in your life are beyond your control and capabilities. You will discover that those things that you cannot handle on your own are not signs of your weakness or incompetence. They do not have to make you try to control reality even more. Your deficiency will reveal your dependence on God.
And, If you dare not to close your eyes, but open them wide to actually see those around you, you will discover how many of them need you and how much good you can do.
Your open hand and eyes will prove to be the path of blessing, the path of happiness.
Image: Jan Brueghel the Elder, The Sermon on the Mount, 1598, Public Domain
