Happy Valentine's Day! Today our thoughts turn to matters of the heart. Jeremiah points out that if our hearts are full of trust in God, we will be like fruitful and well watered trees getting our nourishment and protection from that trust. When we turn our hearts away from God, we become like a barren bush that withers away. On one hand, we receive blessings and graces we need to live in our uncertain world. On the other hand, we suffer the consequences of our choices when we place our trust solely in things of the world. Jeremiah leaves us with a theme of blessings and woes.

Luke uses the same formula of blessings and woes in today's Gospel. Jesus addresses his disciples in the presence of a large crowd as he steps down on a stretch of level ground to deliver his message. A feeling of intimacy is created among the group. Jesus emphasizes the need for all to recognize their poverty and to rely on God rather than on self. Those who recognize their need for God are blessed, those who see themselves as self sufficient are to be pitied.

As we all know, our lives can go from blessings to woes in an instance and hopefully back again. The best way to get through these reversals of fortune is to rely on our faith and trust in God. To do this we must cultivate a close relationship with God and realize that our good fortune consists of receiving God's kingdom.

Lord, give us the wisdom to place our trust in you and not in the world.

Patricia Higgins Michel
Blauvelt Associate