“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven” (Luke 6:20-23).

Jesus speaks to us today in our great need. Are we hungry for him? Do we mourn our sinfulness? This is such a beautiful message of hope. We are mourning and weeping in this valley of tears, but Jesus says to us, “Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!” On that day all of our tears will be wiped away; on that day we will see our beautiful savior face to face! But while we are here, we must be sure to truly seek him with all of our hearts. We are all poor because without the love and forgiveness of Christ, we have nothing. We are all hungry for love and acceptance and will find true love only in Christ. As we wait to be with him for eternity, we must love as he loves. The vocation of motherhood affords us with endless opportunities to give ourselves in love – to be Christ to those closest to us and to meet the needs of the hungry and the needy in our own homes. When we are weary, when we feel overwhelmed in our poverty and need, let us remember that Jesus is with us. He has called us to this vocation, and he will not leave us alone. He speaks joy and consolation to us today and always.

PRAYER: Dearest Lord, help me to rejoice in my need, for you are the great fulfiller of all things, and the healing balm to my soul. Help me to be the hands and feet of Christ in my home, teaching my children that only you can fill their hearts as we set our eyes on heaven and our eternal home.