Is Jesus saying that we should try to be more poor, hungry, sad, and disliked?

 
In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us that it is dangerous to be rich, comfortable, entertained and popular. Instead, He tells us that the poor, the hungry, the crying, and those who are outcast, hated, and insulted for the sake of Jesus are the ones who are to be blessed. Is Jesus saying that we should try to be more poor, hungry, sad, and disliked?
                  The short answer is somewhat yes. Why? Because if we put our hope in wealth, food, entertainment and popularity, we are not going to be prepared for the suffering to come. Jesus makes us aware of a fundamental human truth: everybody suffers or will suffer. The problem with the people who put their hope in wealth, food, entertainment and popularity is that the wealth, food, entertainment and popularity that they consume will be their only reward. As the first reading tells us, “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh.” (Jeremiah 17:5) For those who put their hope in the world, in the flesh and in the praise of others, they will not survive when they are hit with suffering. Suffering will reveal how empty their reward of wealth, food, entertainment and popularity really were. Sadly, for them, this life on earth with be as good as it gets. 
In contrast, for the person who puts their hope in the Lord, this life is not as good as it gets. Those who hope in the Lord are “like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.” For those who put their hope in the Lord, unlike those who put their trust in themselves, others or the world, they will be able to endure the suffering that afflicts us all on earth and be rewarded by God in Heaven.
God Bless,
Fr. Scott