Today the Gospel brings us to the Mount of the Beatitudes. St. Augustine called the Beatitudes the “Magna Charta of Christian life.” Pope Benedict viewed them as “a self-portrait of Jesus.” They present what we should be. Our challenge is to make our own this portrait of Jesus.
But, in all honesty, I find the Beatitudes disconcerting. How can we see blessing where we would not spontaneously seek it? They are contrary to what the world honors, what the culture promotes. Our Lord promotes another vision, other values. The Beatitudes tell us what he honors and blesses. St. John Paul II said that the Beatitudes are the road signs that show the way to true happiness. I think we all desire that happiness so let us see what we find in the Beatitudes:
To be poor is hardly a blessing. Our culture tells us that true happiness lies in the accumulation of wealth. Yet, in the life of Jesus and in the lives of the saints we discover the value of living a simple life detached from allure of material things. Possessions can become obsessions, cluttering our lives so much that there is little or no room for God.
It is hard to feel blessed when we are broken hearted. Life brings times of sorrow, but our faith is always a source of hope even in dark times. The Lord never abandons us. Even the mystery of death is transformed.
The meek we often view as weak, even though it is the virtue of self-control. We should strive to cultivate this virtue which helps us to keep our anger in check. Pope Francis said, The meek control the itch to be aggressive, “bossy” or arrogant. Do we ever have that itch?
Working for justice is central to the Church’s social teaching and an ongoing task in our world. We have a duty to be concerned for the poor, to be fair in our endeavors, to uphold truth, defend life at every stage and serve the most vulnerable among us.
We are often unforgiving, resentful, and harsh when we have been wronged, but the Lord urges us to be merciful and forgiving. In fact, he tells us that God’s mercy toward us hinges on the mercy we show others. We also say in the Lord’s prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, AS we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Our hearts are not always pure but tainted by sin. We should avoid those circumstances that “trigger” sin. When we do sin, let’s not be discouraged but experience the joy of forgiveness and a new beginning through the sacrament of Penance.
Peacemaking is difficult—not only on the world stage but often within our families and our workplaces! Holding a grudge for 20 years and resentment for 30, does not have a place in a disciple’s heart.
We suffer when we are misunderstood, ridiculed, or persecuted for what is right and true. Turning to prayer, the sacraments, and dialog can help defuse the tension and pain.
The road signs of the Beatitudes can lead us from where we are to where God wants us to be. Let’s ask the Lord for that grace today.
