Arise to go to the Heavenly Father: Jos 5:9a.10-12; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3.11-32 (Lent 4 / C)

Arise to go to the Heavenly Father

Jos 5:9a.10-12; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3.11-32 (Lent 4 / C)

“Come and hear, all who fear God. I will tell what he did for my soul” (Divine Office)

Today, on this “Laetare”  (Rejoice) Sunday, we hear the story of the Prodigal Son. There are two more parables in today’s Gospel. These three parables are to be known as parables of the lost. The first parable of the lost sheep depicts the pitiable folly. The second parable of the lost coin portrays wretched self-degradation, and the third is about ingratitude.

In the parable of the Prodigal son, there are three characters. First, the elder brother. He was sorry that his brother had come home. He stands for the self-righteous Pharisees who would rather see a sinner destroyed than saved. His attitude shows that his years of obedience to his father had been years of grim duty and not of loving service. He lacks sympathy. He referred to the prodigal not as ‘his brother’ but as ‘your son’. He was the kind of self-righteous character who would cheerfully have kicked a man farther into the gutter when he was already down.  He suspected his brother of the sins he would have liked to commit.

Secondly, the father. He was moved by the return of the son ruined by sin. He is indeed an icon of our Heavenly Father reflected in the face of Christ: “While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him” (Lk 15:20). Jesus makes us feel that any man, even the worst sinner, is so very important to God that he does not want to lose him in any way. He is with ineffable joy, always willing to grant us forgiveness even to the point of not sparing his Son’s life.

Thirdly, the self-seeking younger. From the root of self-seeking grow the sins of sensuality and pride. It is a state of perpetual dissatisfaction, departure, and distance from God. It is a vile, servile state. The soul that is made a drudge, either to the world or to the flesh, wastes its substance and lives riotously (Eccl. 9:18). It is a lost soul like a traveler out of the way. The Prodigal son considered how bad his condition was. He perished with hunger. He is determined to say, “I will arise and go to my father”. True repentance is arising and coming back to God. The confession of sin is a necessary condition of peace and pardon. True penitents have a high value for God’s house and its privileges (Ps 84: 4,10).

Sinners will not come to the service of Christ till they are brought to see themselves just ready to perish in the service of sin. We are not debtors to the flesh. The conversion of a soul from sin to God is the raising of our soul from death to life. It is finding the lost. It is a great, wonderful, and happy change. Because the lost is found, the dead is made alive, and the unprofitable became profitable.

“Your word is a lamp for my steps, and a light for my path” (Divine Office)

 

The Mystery of Man's Reconciliation with God

 

The Mystery of Man's Reconciliation with God

Lowliness is assumed by majesty, weakness by power, mortality by eternity. To pay the debt of our sinful state, a nature that was incapable of suffering was joined to one that could suffer. Thus, in keeping with the healing that we needed, one and the same mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, was able to die in one nature, and unable to die in the other. He who is true God was therefore born in the complete and perfect nature of a true man, whole in his own nature, whole in ours. By our nature we mean what the Creator had fashioned in us from the beginning, and took to himself in order to restore it.

  For in the Saviour there was no trace of what the deceiver introduced and man, being misled, allowed to enter. It does not follow that because he submitted to sharing in our human weakness he therefore shared in our sins. He took the nature of a servant without stain of sin, enlarging our humanity without diminishing his divinity. He emptied himself; though invisible he made himself visible, though Creator and Lord of all things he chose to be one of us mortal men. Yet this was the condescension of compassion, not the loss of omnipotence. So he who in the nature of God had created man, became in the nature of a servant, man himself. Thus the Son of God enters this lowly world. He comes down from the throne of heaven, yet does not separate himself from the Father’s glory. He is born in a new condition, by a new birth.

  He was born in a new condition, for, invisible in his own nature, he became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, he chose to come within our grasp. Existing before time began, he began to exist at a moment in time. Lord of the universe, he hid his infinite glory and took the nature of a servant. Incapable of suffering as God, he did not refuse to be a man, capable of suffering. Immortal, he chose to be subject to the laws of death. He who is true God is also true man. There is no falsehood in this unity as long as the lowliness of man and the pre-eminence of God coexist in mutual relationship.

  As God does not change by his condescension, so man is not swallowed up by being exalted. Each nature exercises its own activity, in communion with the other. The Word does what is proper to the Word, the flesh fulfils what is proper to the flesh. One nature is resplendent with miracles, the other falls victim to injuries. As the Word does not lose equality with the Father’s glory, so the flesh does not leave behind the nature of our race. One and the same person – this must be said over and over again – is truly the Son of God and truly the son of man. He is God in virtue of the fact that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He is man in virtue of the fact that the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.

From a letter of Saint Leo the Great, pope (Divine Office) 

 

The time is Now to Repent: Ex 3:1-8a,13-15; 1 Cor 10:1-6,10-12; Lk 13:1-9 (Lent 3/C)

 

The time is Now to Repent

Ex 3:1-8a,13-15; 1 Cor 10:1-6,10-12; Lk 13:1-9 (Lent 3/C)

“Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground”

Today’s Luke's Gospel reading describes his teaching and healing during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. Luke presents us with the parable of the barren fig tree. There is no parallel parable in the gospels of Mark or Matthew's Gospels. Luke reports about the crowd’s complaining to Jesus about killing 18 people by Pilate. We read about two disasters in the Gospel. Dr William Barkley gives a narration about them. However, we do not have definite information, and we can only speculate. This was a natural disaster when a tower in Jerusalem unexpectedly collapsed. The Jews often associated such natural calamities and disasters because of sin. Scripture warns that sin can result in calamity! “Though the righteous fall seven times, and rise again; the wicked are overthrown by calamity” (Prov 24:16).

Jesus takes up this opportunity to warn the people to take care of their sinfulness. He interpreted that those who were killed at a tower in Jerusalem were no more or less sinful than the ones who complained. He said that even a natural disaster should not be interpreted as punishment for sin. The real danger and calamity which Jesus points out is that an unexpected disaster or a sudden death does not give us time to repent of our sins and to prepare ourselves to meet the Judge of heaven and earth. The Book of Job reminds us that misfortune and calamity can befall the righteous and the unrighteous alike. Jesus gives a clear warning to take responsibility for our actions and moral choices and put sin to death today before it can destroy our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies as well.

Jesus' parable of the barren and unfruitful fig tree symbolizes the outcome of Israel’s indifference and lack of response to God’s word of repentance and restoration. The prophets depicted the desolation and calamity of Israel’s fall and ruin - due to their unfaithfulness to God - as a languishing fig tree (Joel 1:7,12; Hab 3:17; Jer 8:13). Jeremiah likened good and evil rulers and members of Israel with figs that were either good or rotten (Jer 24:2-8). Jesus’ parable depicts the warning, patience, and mercy of God. God, in his mercy, gives us time to get right with him and that time is now. Jesus warns us that we must always be ready. Tolerating sinful habits and excusing unrepentant sin and wrongdoing will result in bad fruit, painful discipline, and spiritual disease that leads to death and destruction. The Lord in his mercy gives us grace and time to turn away from sin.

 The fire of God’s presence always demonstrates his purifying love and mercy that burns away sin and refashions us in his holiness and righteousness. Just as gold is tested through fire, God tests and purifies his people and fills them with the fire of his love and holiness.

“Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us”

The Faithful Foster-Father and Guardian: 2 Sam 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Rom 4:13.16-18; Mt 1:16.18-21.24a

 

 

The Faithful Foster-Father and Guardian

2 Sam 7:4-5a.12-14a.16; Rom 4:13.16-18; Mt 1:16.18-21.24a

“Faith and deeds worked together; his faith became perfect by what he did” (Divine Office)

There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand. This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the foster-father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the angels. He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of his greatest treasures, namely, his divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying: “Good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Lord.”

What then is Joseph’s position in the whole Church of Christ? Is he not a man chosen and set apart? Through him and, yes, under him, Christ was fittingly and honorably introduced into the world. Holy Church is indebted to the Virgin Mother because it was judged worthy to receive Christ through her. But after her, we undoubtedly owe special gratitude and reverence to Saint Joseph. In him, the Old Testament finds its fitting close. He brought the noble line of patriarchs and prophets to its promised fulfillment. What the divine goodness had offered as a promise to them, he held in his arms. Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence, and very high honor which he gave him on earth, as a son to his father. Rather, we must say that in heaven Christ completes and perfects all that he gave at Nazareth.

Now we can see how the last summoning words of the Lord appropriately apply to Saint Joseph: “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” In fact, although the joy of eternal happiness enters into the soul of a man, the Lord preferred to say to Joseph: “Enter into joy.” His intention was that the words should have a hidden spiritual meaning for us. They convey not only that this holy man possesses an inward joy, but also that it surrounds him and engulfs him like an infinite abyss.

Remember us, Saint Joseph, and plead for us to your foster-child. Ask your most holy bride, the Virgin Mary, to look kindly upon us, since she is the mother of him who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns eternally. Amen.

“God has made me a father to the king, and lord over all his household” (Divine Office)

 

 

 

The Sun of Righteousness: Gen 15:5-12,17-18; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28b-36 (Lent 2 / C)

 

The Sun of Righteousness

 

Gen 15:5-12,17-18; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28b-36 (Lent 2 / C)

 

“The Lord went before them in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way” (Divine Office)

 

On the second Sunday of Lent, we hear the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration. The Transfiguration of Jesus predicts his Paschal Mystery. Luke describes this as his exodus, connecting Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection with Israel’s Exodus from Egypt. “His exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem” (Lk 9:31), is the sign manifesting God’s plan, which is carried out in the bosom of Israel's history. In the event of transfiguration, St Luke presents Jesus’ intimate prayer life and glorification.

 

It is the evangelist Luke who strongly highlights the prayer life of Jesus. He writes, “Jesus (...) went up the mountain to pray” (Lk 9:28) and his transfiguration happened “while he was praying” (Lk 9:29).  Lent is a time for us to create a space for prayer. Only by prayer can we be transfigured and we can transfigure our world. By prayer can transfigure our many and often complicated relationships. Prayers can transform the life of matrimony, our homes, work, our communities, and consecrated life.

 

God is eager to share his glory with us! We get a glimpse of this in Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain. Jesus’ face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Mk 9:2,3). The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory, but he also wants us to share his glory with us. Jesus shows us the way to the Father’s glory: follow me - obey my words - take the path I have chosen for you, and you will receive the blessings of my Father’s kingdom - your name will be written in heaven.

 

How much do we miss God’s glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? Some things can keep our minds asleep to the things of God. Mental lethargy and the ‘unexamined life' can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering, challenging, or disturbing demands of Christ. Prejudice can blind us to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see the glory of God.

 

Origen (185-254 AD), an early Church Bible scholar writes, “When we are transfigured, we will be no longer the children of darkness or night but become the sons of day and walk honestly as in the day as Jesus became the sun of righteousness. When it comes to obeying the commandments or enduring adversity, the words uttered by the Father should always echo in our ears: “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him”.

 

 

“harden not your hearts” (Divine Office)

 

 

You shall not fall for I am with You Dt 26:4-10; Rom10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13 (C Lent/1)

 

You shall not fall for I am with You

 

Dt 26:4-10; Rom10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13 (C  Lent/1) 

“The cross of the Lord is become the tree of life for us” (Divine Office)

 

The three Synoptic Gospels report that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, right after he was baptized and confirmed by the Father for his mission as Savior of the world. This is the pattern God had set for Moses (Ex 24:18) and for Elijah (1 Kings 19:8). Both were led on a forty-day journey of prayer and fasting to meet God. God tested Moses and Elijah to proclaim God’s word (Ex 33:11; Dt 18:15; 34:10) and lead people into holiness and righteousness. Moses and Elijah prayed and fasted in the desert, and God fed them with his life-giving word. They were renewed in faith, hope, and love.

 

Luke writes that at the end of Jesus’ forty days in the desert, the Satan tempted him. This deceiver is the devil (Lk 4:1), the father of lies (Jn 8:44) and ruler of this world (Jn 12:31; 2 Cor 4:4). He is the same deceiver who tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Paradise (Gn 3). Why did Satan tempt Jesus? Satan knew that Jesus was embarking on an important spiritual mission for the kingdom of God. Satan got an opportunity to strike while Jesus appeared to be more vulnerable in his physical and emotional weakened condition. He was weak due to his prolonged fasting. Satan undoubtedly thought he could persuade Jesus to choose his path rather than the path his Father

 

Satan’s first temptation appealed to Jesus’ physical hunger. He hungered for his Father's word, even though it might cost him great sacrifice even unto death.  Jesus defeated Satan’s snare with the words of Scripture, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Dt 8:3; Mt 4:4). Satan tempted Jesus a second time by presenting him with the best the world could offer. But he chose to make his Father’s will alone as his treasure and delight by quoting, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve” (Dt 6:13). Satan’s last temptation was to convince Jesus that he should position himself at the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem and perform a sign that would prove that he was the Messiah, God’s anointed Son quoting, “He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you, and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone” (Ps 91:11-12). Satan is aware of the Scripture! Jesus refused Satan’s test to prove his divine claim as the Messiah. quoting, “It is said, `You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Dt 6:16).

 

How can we hope to fight temptation and overcome sin in our own lives? Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. God tests genuine faith to set it as an example. He will not leave us alone nor will he suffer us to be tempted beyond that which we can bear” (1Cor. 10:13). And “your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Is 30:21). Jesus did not rely on his human strength. He teaches that we need the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness (Rom 8:26). He will be with us when we acknowledge our dependence on him (Js 4:6) and he helps us to stand firm against the attacks of Satan (1 Pt 5:8-10; Ep 6:10-18). Do we seek God’s wisdom and guidance for overcoming sin and avoiding the near occasions of sin? In the forty days of Lent, we are called to journey with the Lord in the wilderness of our spiritual renewal towards the feast of Easter. We, too, must follow the way of the cross to share in the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection. As we begin this holy season of preparation and renewal, let's ask the Lord for a fresh outpouring of his Holy Spirit that we may grow in faith, hope, and love.

 

“You shall not fall a victim to the sword: your life shall be safe,* for I am with you” (Divine Office)

Repent and Believe: Joel 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6,16-18 (Ash Wednesday)

 

Repent and Believe

Joel 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20-6:2; Mt 6:1-6,16-18 (Ash Wednesday)

“The Lord takes no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but desires that he turn from his way and live” Divine Office

 

Let us fix our attention on the blood of Christ and recognize how precious it is to God his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world. If we review the various ages of history, we will see that in every generation the Lord has offered the opportunity of repentance to any who were willing to turn to him. When Noah preached God’s message of repentance, all who listened to him were saved. Jonah told the Ninevites they were going to be destroyed, but when they repented, their prayers gained God’s forgiveness for their sins, and they were saved, even though they were not of God’s people.

 

 Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the ministers of God’s grace have spoken of repentance; indeed, the Master of the whole universe himself spoke of repentance with an oath: As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the death of the sinner but his repentance. He added this evidence of his goodness: House of Israel, repent of your wickedness. Tell the sons of my people: If their sins should reach from earth to heaven, if they are brighter than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, you need only turn to me with your whole heart and say, “Father,” and I will listen to you as a holy people.

 

  In other words, God wanted all his beloved ones to have the opportunity to repent and he confirmed this desire by his own almighty will. That is why we should obey his sovereign and glorious will and prayerfully entreat his mercy and kindness. We should be suppliant before him and turn to his compassion, rejecting empty works and quarrelling and jealousy which only lead to death.

 

  Brothers, we should be humble in mind, putting aside all arrogance, pride and foolish anger. Rather, we should act in accordance with the Scriptures, as the Holy Spirit says: The wise man must not glory in his wisdom nor the strong man in his strength nor the rich man in his riches. Rather, let him who glories glory in the Lord by seeking him and doing what is right and just. Recall especially what the Lord Jesus said when he taught gentleness and forbearance. Be merciful, he said, so that you may have mercy shown to you. Forgive, so that you may be forgiven. As you treat others, so you will be treated. As you give, so you will receive. As you judge, so you will be judged. As you are kind to others, so you will be treated kindly. The measure of your giving will be the measure of your receiving.

 

  Let these commandments and precepts strengthen us to live in humble obedience to his sacred words. As Scripture asks: Whom shall I look upon with favor except the humble, peaceful man who trembles at my words?  Sharing then in the heritage of so many vast and glorious achievements, let us hasten towards the goal of peace, set before us from the beginning. Let us keep our eyes firmly fixed on the Father and Creator of the whole universe, and hold fast to his splendid and transcendent gifts of peace and all his blessings. 

                                                  From a letter of Pope St Clement I to the Corinthians

 

    “Repent and do penance. Make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” Divine Office

Auditing My Spiritual Life : Sir 27: 4-7; 1 Cor 15: 54-58; Lk 6:39-45 (8 C)

 

Auditing My Spiritual Life

 

Sir 27: 4-7; 1 Cor 15: 54-58; Lk 6:39-45 (8 C)

“If we take happiness from God’s hand, must we not take sorrow too? (Divine Office)

 

This is the Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time.  Usually, Lent would have begun by now, but this year it is late.  When we return to ordinary times in June, we typically begin with the 9th or 10th Sunday of the Liturgical year. Today’s gospel reading is full of proverbs, phrased statements of the truth. Let’s reflect upon three of them.  Firstly, “A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit and each tree is known by its yield (Lk 6: 43). When a person does good things, we know this is a good person.  When a person is continually stirring up trouble, we know that this person is troubled. The personality-fruit of a person reveals itself! In the same way, it is not enough for us to say whether we are saved or not yet saved!

 

Secondly, “Why look at the speck in your brother’s eye when you miss the plank in your own?” (Lk 6:41). We tend to transfer our irritation over our failings to others. When we go through negative times, we have to take a step back and consider what we are doing that upsets others and us.

 

Thirdly, “Can a blind man act as a guide to a blind man? Will they not fall into a ditch?" (Lk 6:39). We cannot guide others until and unless we have a good sense of values. We must not only be well-informed but also be committed to correcting one’s deficiencies. The teaching authority of the Catholic Church is called the Magisterium. The magisterium consists of the Pope, the Bishops, theologians, and consultants.  The magisterium has to set the course for us to relate our faith and morals to the evolving times. The dogmatic statements didn’t just happen yesterday.  They evolved over many centuries as the Holy Mother Church continues to grow in her understanding of herself. The magisterium does not just exist in the hierarchy.  It also exists in the home and those who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Holy Spirit helps us to grow in our understanding of faith. In times of doubt and uncertainties, we need to pray to the Holy Spirit to help us grow in faith. The Magisterium helps us to enlighten our minds in the dark times of any era.

 

Jesus warns against self-righteousness. Just keeping the letter of the law is not enough, for God searches the heart. We need to follow the spirit of a letter in the law, as St Paul teaches. We need to do the right thing with the right intention. He wants us to practice self-critique and be aware of our motives. We need to turn to God within our hearts, to purify our inmost intentions. This is what King David meant when he prayed, “Lord, create in me a pure heart; put a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps 51:10).

“May he open your heart to his law and his commandments” (Divine Office)

 

LOVE BEARS EVERYTHING 1 Sam 26:2, 7-9,12-13,22-23; 1 Cor 15:45-49; Lk 6:27-38 (7 C)

 

LOVE BEARS EVERYTHING

 

1 Sam 26:2, 7-9,12-13,22-23; 1 Cor 15:45-49; Lk 6:27-38 (7  C)

“Naked from his mother’s womb a man comes; as naked as he will depart again”

 

What makes Christians different from any other religion? It is grace - treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as the just. His love embraces saints and sinners alike. “God is Love” (1 Jn 4:8,16). God granted the people of Israel a king even though they were in outright rebellion with God that they wanted a king. And God blessed them with a king. God accommodated situations that were not his original ideal and even blessed people in non-ideal stations of life. David said to King Saul who was trying to kill him, “I have plenty of reason to kill you, and it would have been simple for me to do so, but it would have been the wrong thing for me to do since God has chosen you to be king” (1 Sam 24:3).

 

From the cross, Jesus forgave his persecutors, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do” (Lk 23:34). Jesus exhorts us to “Be merciful, just as our Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36). The vicious cycle of hatred can only be stopped by people who are determined to love. Faith expresses it through love (Gal 5:6) and whoever loves others fulfills the law (Rom13:8). Love is the fulfillment of the law (Rom 13:10) and the entire law is fulfilled in keeping one command: love your neighbor as yourself (Gal 5:14). Paul wants us to let go of “rules” possessing the spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9).

 

All of us have our battle stories. Perhaps, some of us have let bad situations become worse by taking a shot back against those unjust aggressors in our lives. How important is that grudge we hold? When we die, we can only take with us our capacity to love. From cell, St. Thomas More forgave King Henry VIII for destroying his reputation and his life. The greatest gift to happiness is rejecting hatred. Those who are tied to God find peace. Only the cross of Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment. And that gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace have the power to heal and save us from destruction. That is why Paul tells us to “bless and not curse nor take revenge and to overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:14,17,21).

 

Cardinal Newman wrote: “O Jesus! Help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go. Flood our souls with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being, so utterly, that our lives may only be a radiance of yours (...). That every soul we come in contact with may feel your presence in their soul. May the light, O Jesus, shine on others through us”. We can love, forgive, and accept others when our hearts magnify in the love of God. The love of Jesus does not count the degree or category rater loves without boundaries.

 

“We brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it”.

The Lord Watches Over the Way of the Righteous: Jer 17:5-8; 1 Cor 15:12,16-20; Lk 6:17,20-26 (6 C)

 

The Lord Watches Over the Way of the Righteous

Jer 17:5-8; 1 Cor 15:12,16-20; Lk 6:17,20-26 (6 C)

“We proclaim Christ on the cross, Christ who is the power of God” (Divine Office)

The beginning of the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke is similar to Matthew 5:1-7,11 the Sermon on the Mount. These titles suggest differences and similarities between these Gospel readings. The Beatitudes in Luke’s Gospel sound more personal than those in Matthew’s Gospel. Luke uses the pronoun “you” whereas Matthew uses “they” or “those.” There is also a difference in number. Matthew describes eight beatitudes, and Luke presents just four presenting a parallel warning.

The form of the Beatitudes in the Gospels is not a unique teaching of Jesus. Beatitudes are also found in the Old Testament, such as in the Psalms and Wisdom literature. Today’s responsorial Psalm offers the idea of the “two ways” – Happy the man who follows the law of the Lord not of the wicked. The prophets warned about social justice and sharing: “Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field until everything belongs to them. Woe to those who from the early morning chase after strong drinks and stay up late at night inflamed with wine. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who substitute darkness for light. Woe to those who for a bribe acquit the guilty and cheat the good man of his due” (Is 5:8-23).  All these are just as relevant today as when the prophets first proclaimed them.

The concept of “Two Ways” – “good and evil” deeply influenced the early Church. Jesus' way of happiness demands a transformation from within - a conversion of heart and mind through the working of the Holy Spirit. How can one find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution? If we want to be filled with the joy and happiness of heaven, then we must empty ourselves of all that would shut God out of our hearts. St. Ambrose an early church father (Milan) links the beatitudes with the four cardinal virtues which strengthen our moral excellence. They are temperance, justice, prudence, and fortitude. They are poor in spirit, submissive, and tranquil. They are just giving away their goods. They do not trap neighbors. These virtues are interwoven and interlinked. Thus, temperance has purity of heart and spirit, justice has compassion, patience has peace, and endurance has gentleness.

How often do we hear optimistic news about the progressive recovery of the economy of the poor? Economic growth in the developed world often masks the gulf between the better and the without work or future in this macroeconomic system! The provocative system of consumerism clashes with the misery and insecurity of so many. Such was denounced by St John Paul II who said, “…function almost automatically, making more rigid the situations of wealth for some and of poverty for others.” In his Gospel-based encyclical “Sollicitudo Rei Socialis” (The Social Concern), he called such a situation sinful. His teachings reflect still today as the AI that engulfs the existence of humanity. Bringing AI to consciousness by misuse of God-given intelligence calls to reflect God’s reaction to the Tower of Babel!

In his “Fides et Ratio” (Faith and Reason), St John Paul II said, “It is faith which stirs reason to move beyond all isolation and willingly to run risks so that it may attain whatever is beautiful, good and true for humanity.” Jesus’ message isn’t born out of the powerlessness of cast-aside and resentful people, but out of his intense vision of God’s justice that can’t allow the final triumph of injustice. Jesus’ word keeps being decisive for the rich and the poor. Word of denouncing and encouragement is alive and challenges us all.

 

The Beatitudes are the faithful and prayerful. They are like trees that stretch their roots to the underground waters (Ps 1:1) which is God. They are dependent upon God and feel serene. Dependence upon God is not a sign of weakness rather it keeps them in contact with a never-ending source of strength.

“...for what this world considers to be wisdom is nonsense in God’s sight” (Divine Office)