In the Gospel reading 2 groups of people are presented. The first group are those who are poor, hungry, weeping, hated, driven out, abused, and denounced. The second group are the rich, who are filled, laughing, and spoken well of. Then Jesus speaks about a great reversal that will take place.

The first group will have the Kingdom of God ... will be satisfied ... will rejoice and dance for joy ... and will receive a great reward in heaven. On the other hand, the second group will go hungry, mourn and weep.

What is the point of this passage? It means Jesus wants us to know that if we identify with the first group of people, do not despair - for there will come a time, if we hang on to Him, that these terrible times will pass and all we will ever experience will be blessedness. And for those of us who seem to be in the second group - having an abundance of worldly goods and recognition - to be aware, that there will come a time, if we live our life apart from God, when the good times will end and what awaits is desolation, hunger, sorrow, and a rude awakening.