Epiphany 6C - 2025
Sermon for Epiphany 6C
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
The Rev. Andrew McLarty
This morning, we stand with Jesus on a level place, surrounded by a crowd of disciples, seekers, and the desperate. Here, Jesus delivers a radical vision of God’s kingdom — one that turns the world’s values upside down. In Luke’s Beatitudes, Jesus blesses the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the persecuted, while warning the rich, the full, the laughing, and the well-regarded. This is not a comfortable message, but it is a transformative one.
Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Jesus blesses the materially poor, declaring that the kingdom is already theirs. God’s kingdom is not built on wealth or power but on grace, mercy, and love. The poor, in their vulnerability, embody the reality of God’s care.
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
Jesus promises fulfillment to the hungry — both physical and spiritual. This is a reminder that in God’s kingdom, no one goes without.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
To those who grieve, Jesus offers the promise of joy. God does not dismiss our pain but comforts us and promises resurrection.
Blessed are you when people hate you on account of the Son of Man.
Jesus blesses the persecuted, urging them to rejoice, for their reward is great in heaven. This is a call to stand firm in faith, trusting in God’s justice.
But then, Jesus issues warnings:
Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
These “woes” are not curses but calls to self-examination. Where do we place our trust? In wealth, status, and comfortor in God?
I hope this makes all of us uncomfortable, a little bit. It should, because I imagine we can identify with some of the things said here. I imagine the same can be said for many in Columbus. I know that I am financially relatively comfortable, my belly is full most days whenever I want it to be, and I feel comfortable when all speak well of me...
The Beatitudes remind us that God’s kingdom is not like the world’s. It is an upside-down kingdom where the last are first, the weak are strong, and love triumphs over power. Where things are balanced, made equitable, made level.
So, what does this mean for us?
We are called to solidarity with the poor, the hungry, the grieving, and the persecuted. We are called to examine our lives and reorient our priorities. And we are called to hope, trusting that God’s kingdom is coming and all will be made right.
May we live as citizens of this upside-down kingdom, trusting in God’s promises and working for God’s justice — that we may stand with Jesus on a level place.
Amen.
