Epiphany: Paradox

Luke 6:17-26

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke:

17 Coming down the mountain with them, Jesus stopped in a level area where there were a great number of disciples. A large crowd of people was with them from Jerusalem and all over Judea, to as far north as the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon—18 people who had come to hear Jesus and be healed of their diseases, and even to be freed from unclean spirits. 19 Indeed, the whole crowd was trying to touch Jesus, because power was coming out of him and healing them all. 20 Looking at the disciples, Jesus said: “You who are poor are blessed, for the reign of God is yours.

21 You who hunger now are blessed,for you’ll be filled.

You who weep now are blessed,for you’ll laugh.

22 You are blessed when people hate you, when they scorn and insult you and spurn your name as evil

because of the Chosen One.

23 On the day they do so, rejoice and be glad: your reward will be great in heaven, for their ancestors treated the prophets the same way.

24 But woe to you rich, for you are now receiving your comfort in full.

25 Woe to you who are full, for you’ll go hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now, for you’ll weep in your grief.

26 Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets

in the same way.

This is the word of the Lord.         Thanks be to God