Word to the Wise
Monday, June 7, 2010 - Monday in the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time
[1 Kings 17:1-6 and Matthew 5:1-12]Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.......
In the Spring of 1988, my dad and I were privileged to travel to the Holy Land in the company of knights and ladies of the Holy Sepulcher. The whole trip was a profound experience but one or two events stand out in my memory. One of these memories is of our visit to the "Mount of Beatitudes." The "mount" is more like a high hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee. The weather was sunny and clear. Our group was able to gather for Eucharist at an outdoor altar and to hear the words that begin the Sermon on the Mount - the same words that form the gospel scripture for today. Most of us will not be in such a wonderful setting when we hear or read this scripture today or any other time, but the power of the beatitudes continues to have its impact. Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" is a basic catechism of Christian life. (Indeed, he is depicted as a kind of "New Moses" by sitting down and teaching on the mountain!) From start to finish the sermon challenges us and can make us squirm considerably. The "beatitudes" in many ways echo themes from the Old Testament, but the way in which Jesus gathers them together as a kind of prelude to the sermon gives us an idea of what to expect. Things are not going to be the way the world usually sees them. (Compare the beatitudes with the "Magnificat" in Luke 1:47-56!) It is not that Jesus praises destitution and depression at all! But those who suffer the way the beatitudes describe are shown to be in a better position to realize the Kingdom of God than those whom the world regards as successful. My own reading of the Sermon on the Mount suggests to me that much of what is mentioned there is about "power" and the way people use or abuse it. Others may find other themes to help understand Jesus' fundamental teaching about Christian life. Today is as good a day as any to begin one's reflection on this teaching, but don't stop with the beatitudes! AMEN
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