Luke 6:20-23

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus says to his disciples: "Happy are you who are poor, the kingdom of God is yours."

The Beatitudes are in the gospel of Luke, as well as in the gospel of Matthew, but the version in the gospel of Luke is less familiar. Here Jesus says the poor are happy, but in the gospel of Matthew he says "the poor in spirit" are happy. The gospel of Matthew, unlike the gospel of Luke, does not emphasize that the good news is for those who are poor and oppressed. The third gospel also contains teachings by Jesus about "woes," which are absent from the gospel of Matthew. "But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger. Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets." (vs. 24-26)

No wonder we are unfamiliar with this teaching! We are rich, we are well fed, we are laughing and enjoying our prosperity, we enjoy a good reputation among our peers. The gospel of Matthew lets us off the hook, but the gospel of Luke forces us to reflect on our faith.

Grace and peace...Bob