RBWords

     This country is going through a messy political process at the present time and politicians are using profound questions in superficial ways to attract voters.  But maybe we can find some moments from time to time to go deeper than slogans and catch-phrases and sound bytes.  One of the fundamental questions that underlies the whole process is this one:  "Are you happy?"  Deeper still is the question: "What is happiness for you?"  Those running for office try to touch on this by asking, "Are you any better off ["happier"]?"  Even our churches get caught up in this because of particular "issues" that face the country.  Take a look at Jesus' "platform" in the "sermon on the plain" in today's gospel passage from Luke!  [For comparison's sake, take a look at the one in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew.]  How many "votes" do you think Jesus would get in our society if he were to "run" on that platform?

     The "sermon on the plain" is addressed to the disciples, but not only to those who were in the original audience, but to those in Luke's community AND to us who have read these words down through the centuries!  As Fr. Joseph Fitzmyer, S.J. points out in his great commentary on Luke's gospel, Jesus' words have been subjected to just about every kind of interpretation that humans can devise!  The bottom line is this.  Jesus came to preach the gospel to those who are included in the "beatitudes."  The community that Luke wrote the gospel for was suffering persecution - poor and rich alike.  Economically, the "rich" had more to lose if they did not renounce their faith!  But what are the belongings worth when life itself is at issue?  In the midst of this, Jesus offers a "happiness" that is ultimate.  It is a promise that no politician can make.  In the midst of all the political noise, are we losing our bearings and thinking of happiness in purely secular terms?  How much does our faith shape our politics, instead of our politics shaping our faith?  AMEN