Trust in God

Father Ed Witt, SJ
The 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time
February 16, 2025

The prophet Jeremiah contrasts those who place their trust in humanity, that is human beings, and those who place their trust in God. He uses an analogy from nature. Those who misplace their trust are like a bush that is dry, stagnant, and barren, while those who trust God are like a tree that constantly grows, thrives and bears fruit. It’s perpetually green. The psalmist echoes this similarly. 

Jesus picks it up in today’s Gospel. Those whose life is easy, who have plenty of everything, who cling to their wealth, will end up as hungry, thirsty, and as sad as the barren bush. But those who thirst for God despite their impoverished situation will be rewarded with joy, laughter and the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Saint Paul reminds us that our belief in the resurrection gives us the hope that we may live eternally in God’s Kingdom. Jesus himself lived a life involving no possessions, much grief, strong opposition, which eventually led to his execution. His reward is indeed great in heaven. That reward is now our reward for he has won us our salvation. 

Just last weekend we heard Jesus call his first disciples — Simon Peter, James, and John. Today we hear him talking to a much larger audience, though Luke says he was looking at his disciples when he spoke. He was looking at you and me when he spoke. Much as he explicitly called them to him to follow him on his mission, today we call him to live, to call us to live, by a different set of values. Then is now. People naturally valued wealth, and happiness, and self-sufficiency, and independence. If Jesus had preached in support of these many people would have been pleased. After all, wasn’t success in life a sign that God smiled upon them? But no, Jesus tells them just the opposite. It is the poor who will inherit the kingdom of God. It is the hungry, the grief stricken, the persecuted who will rejoice and leap for joy. This radical, countercultural call to his disciples, is a  radical, countercultural call to us disciples now. To you and to me. 

So, we might consider this week what about your life is Jesus calling you to change so that you might be blessed? If I have plenty of money and food and happiness, what can I do to be truly blessed.