Friday, November 1: “Blessed in Misfortune”

Luke 6: 20b-22a: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.”

As is the case in Tuesday’s Gospel, the word translated ‘blessed’ here is different from the one we’ve seen in the other passages. This one means ‘happy’ or ‘supremely blessed’. How can we be blessed in the midst of poverty, hunger, mourning, and general dislike? Continue to be grateful to God. And bless the ones giving you problems (v. 28). In so doing, you will be a child of the Most High (v. 35). Now that’s a blessing!