Matthew 5:1-12a - The Beatitudes
1 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 He began to teach them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven
-------------
The word "beatitude" (with a lower case "b") is refers to perfect happiness. Beatitude, however, is not just happiness in the sense of having pleasing circumstances or material security, but a happiness in relation to the possession of the “good.” The “good” refers to the “end” or goal — the fulfillment — of each person's life in the plan of God. (Source: Catholic Exchange )
Matthew 5 begins the Sermon on the Mount, and the first twelve verses are known as the Beatitudes (upper case "B"). The Church teaches that the Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. Sunday is All Saints Day, and it is fitting that the gospel is the Beatitudes, for saints (canonized or not) are individuals throughout history that have taken the Beatitudes to great heights in their lives.
More from the Catechism on the Beatitudes:
1716 The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham. The Beatitudes fulfill the promises by ordering them no longer merely to the possession of a territory, but to the Kingdom of heaven:
1717 The Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity. They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his Passion and Resurrection; they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ's disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.
II. THE DESIRE FOR HAPPINESS
1718 The Beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness. This desire is of divine origin: God has placed it in the human heart in order to draw man to the One who alone can fulfill it:
We all want to live happily; in the whole human race there is no one who does not assent to this proposition, even before it is fully articulated.13
How is it, then, that I seek you, Lord? Since in seeking you, my God, I seek a happy life, let me seek you so that my soul may live, for my body draws life from my soul and my soul draws life from you.14
God alone satisfies.15
1719 The Beatitudes reveal the goal of human existence, the ultimate end of human acts: God calls us to his own beatitude. This vocation is addressed to each individual personally, but also to the Church as a whole, the new people made up of those who have accepted the promise and live from it in faith.
III. CHRISTIAN BEATITUDE
1720 The New Testament uses several expressions to characterize the beatitude to which God calls man:
- the coming of the Kingdom of God;16 - the vision of God: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God"17
- entering into the joy of the Lord;18
- entering into God's rest:19
There we shall rest and see, we shall see and love, we shall love and praise. Behold what will be at the end without end. For what other end do we have, if not to reach the kingdom which has no end?20
1721 God put us in the world to know, to love, and to serve him, and so to come to paradise. Beatitude makes us "partakers of the divine nature" and of eternal life.21 With beatitude, man enters into the glory of Christ22 and into the joy of the Trinitarian life.
1722 Such beatitude surpasses the understanding and powers of man. It comes from an entirely free gift of God: whence it is called supernatural, as is the grace that disposes man to enter into the divine joy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." It is true, because of the greatness and inexpressible glory of God, that "man shall not see me and live," for the Father cannot be grasped. But because of God's love and goodness toward us, and because he can do all things, he goes so far as to grant those who love him the privilege of seeing him. . . . For "what is impossible for men is possible for God."23
1723 The beatitude we are promised confronts us with decisive moral choices. It invites us to purify our hearts of bad instincts and to seek the love of God above all else. It teaches us that true happiness is not found in riches or well-being, in human fame or power, or in any human achievement - however beneficial it may be - such as science, technology, and art, or indeed in any creature, but in God alone, the source of every good and of all love:
All bow down before wealth. Wealth is that to which the multitude of men pay an instinctive homage. They measure happiness by wealth; and by wealth they measure respectability. . . . It is a homage resulting from a profound faith . . . that with wealth he may do all things. Wealth is one idol of the day and notoriety is a second. . . . Notoriety, or the making of a noise in the world - it may be called "newspaper fame" - has come to be considered a great good in itself, and a ground of veneration.24
1724 The Decalogue, the Sermon on the Mount, and the apostolic catechesis describe for us the paths that lead to the Kingdom of heaven. Sustained by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we tread them, step by step, by everyday acts. By the working of the Word of Christ, we slowly bear fruit in the Church to the glory of God.25
12 Mt 5:3-12.
13 St. Augustine, De moribus eccl. 1,3,4:PL 32,1312.
14 St. Augustine, Conf. 10,20:PL 32,791.
15 St. Thomas Aquinas, Expos. in symb. apost. I.
16 Cf. Mt 4:17.
17 Mt 5:8; cf. 1 Jn 2; 1 Cor 13:12.
18 Mt 25:21-23.
19 Cf. Heb 4:7-11.
20 St. Augustine, De civ. Dei 22,30,5:PL 41,804.
21 2 Pet 1:4; cf. Jn 17:3.
22 Cf. Rom 8:18.
23 St. Irenaeus, Adv. haeres. 4,20,5:PG 7/1,1034-1035.
24 John Henry Cardinal Newman, "Saintliness the Standard of Christian Principle," in Discourses to Mixed Congregations (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1906) V, 89-90.
25 Cf. the parable of the sower: Mt 13:3-23.
Showing posts with label - Beattitudes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label - Beattitudes. Show all posts
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Daily - 1/13/09
This prayer is called the Litany of Humility, and was prayed almost daily by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), the secretary of state for Pope Saint Pius X. This prayer was recommended to me by one of our priests, to help me focus on what it means to be meek.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me. From the desire of being esteemed,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected,
deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should.
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
-----------------------
The truth is that I have all of these desires that are listed in the litany. I especially like to be extolled, honored, and praised. My personality, almost at its core, craves to be approved. Furthermore, I have all the fears listed in the second part of the prayer. I hate failure. I hate being humiliated, rebuked, and wronged. I get bothered if someone gets praised while nobody mentions me. I want to be noticed and told I’m doing well.
All of these things show a desire for seeking praise and approval from men, rather than from God. They show how easy it is for our priorities to be in the wrong place. I know I just said this the other day, but if we can just get to a place where we know in our hearts that the only thing we need is God, and how much we actually do need Him, none of this other stuff matters.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me. From the desire of being esteemed,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged,
deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected,
deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase, and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should.
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
-----------------------
The truth is that I have all of these desires that are listed in the litany. I especially like to be extolled, honored, and praised. My personality, almost at its core, craves to be approved. Furthermore, I have all the fears listed in the second part of the prayer. I hate failure. I hate being humiliated, rebuked, and wronged. I get bothered if someone gets praised while nobody mentions me. I want to be noticed and told I’m doing well.
All of these things show a desire for seeking praise and approval from men, rather than from God. They show how easy it is for our priorities to be in the wrong place. I know I just said this the other day, but if we can just get to a place where we know in our hearts that the only thing we need is God, and how much we actually do need Him, none of this other stuff matters.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Daily - 12/12/08
Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Fortunately for us, we live in a day where persecution means something different than it used to. Here’s how it worked out for St. Stephen in Acts 8:
Acts 8:54-60
54 When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him.
55 But he, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57 But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.
58 They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
60 Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them"; and when he said this, he fell asleep.
Christ’s followers have been persecuted, in some form or another, since the very beginning. The nature of the persecution has changed over time, thank goodness. For us, living in America, the persecution is cultural. The "enlightened" folks of our time love to make fun of Christians in all sorts of ways. We’re hypocrites. We’re stupid. We don’t believe in science. We are selfish and think it’s our way or the highway. We are uninformed. We’re self-righteous. We’re stuck in the dark ages. We are not "progressive." And so on.
I’m not trying to equate enduring cultural persecution in America today with standing there in prayer while the guys from the Sanhedrin throw rocks at you until you’re dead. But there is a basic similarity … if we listen to Christ’s call and remain in Him, we become part of the spiritual war that has been going on since the beginning of time. And THAT means we become targets.
So why is it a blessing? I found a good perspective on the web.
"There has always been a deep antagonism from Satan toward God, from the world toward the Church, and thus from the ungodly toward the godly. This is not to say that every believer hates every unbeliever. But it is to say that there is an essential conflict between evil and good, and that this conflict will spill out of unbelieving, sinful, carnal people against believing, righteous, Spirit-filled people. It will spill out in derogatory remarks, in cutting accusations, in spiteful attitudes, in unfair dealings, and sometimes in physical harm."
Persecution is a blessing because it is proof positive that the enemy has identified us with Christ. It is both a result of and results in further deepening of the relationship with Christ. I like to think of it this way -- if my faith grows to the point where the enemy takes notice of who I am, then I’m doing something right. Of course it also means that I’ve become a soldier in the war, and that I need to prepare accordingly.
10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Fortunately for us, we live in a day where persecution means something different than it used to. Here’s how it worked out for St. Stephen in Acts 8:
Acts 8:54-60
54 When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him.
55 But he, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57 But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.
58 They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
60 Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them"; and when he said this, he fell asleep.
Christ’s followers have been persecuted, in some form or another, since the very beginning. The nature of the persecution has changed over time, thank goodness. For us, living in America, the persecution is cultural. The "enlightened" folks of our time love to make fun of Christians in all sorts of ways. We’re hypocrites. We’re stupid. We don’t believe in science. We are selfish and think it’s our way or the highway. We are uninformed. We’re self-righteous. We’re stuck in the dark ages. We are not "progressive." And so on.
I’m not trying to equate enduring cultural persecution in America today with standing there in prayer while the guys from the Sanhedrin throw rocks at you until you’re dead. But there is a basic similarity … if we listen to Christ’s call and remain in Him, we become part of the spiritual war that has been going on since the beginning of time. And THAT means we become targets.
So why is it a blessing? I found a good perspective on the web.
"There has always been a deep antagonism from Satan toward God, from the world toward the Church, and thus from the ungodly toward the godly. This is not to say that every believer hates every unbeliever. But it is to say that there is an essential conflict between evil and good, and that this conflict will spill out of unbelieving, sinful, carnal people against believing, righteous, Spirit-filled people. It will spill out in derogatory remarks, in cutting accusations, in spiteful attitudes, in unfair dealings, and sometimes in physical harm."
Persecution is a blessing because it is proof positive that the enemy has identified us with Christ. It is both a result of and results in further deepening of the relationship with Christ. I like to think of it this way -- if my faith grows to the point where the enemy takes notice of who I am, then I’m doing something right. Of course it also means that I’ve become a soldier in the war, and that I need to prepare accordingly.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Daily - 12/11/08
Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
-------------------------
When I think of peacemaking, I think of "keeping the peace" – helping resolve differences on all scales, from minor issues to international wars. If you take a look at what some of the Church fathers’ writings, however, you see something deeper. The ability to make peace all stems from God’s peace, which always begins at an individual level. Here’s a 1,500+ year old homily on that subject from a Doctor of the Church.
I’ve also attached a link to Thomas Aquinas’ Golden Chain, which compiles the work of several other of the ancient greats.
Link to text below
Catena Aurea Matthew 5 - Scroll Down to Verse 9
The Beatitudes:
Blessed are the Peacemakers
-- Pope St. Leo the Great
The blessedness of seeing God is justly promised to the pure of heart. For the eye that is unclean would not be able to see the brightness of the true light, and what would be happiness to clear minds would be a torment to those that are defiled. Therefore, let the mists of worldly vanities be dispelled, and the inner eye be cleansed of all the filth of wickedness, so that the soul’s gaze may feast serenely upon the great vision of God.
It is to the attainment of this goal that the next words refer: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. This blessedness, dearly beloved, does not derive from any casual agreement or from any and every kind of harmony, but it pertains to what the Apostle says: Be at peace before the Lord, and to the words of the prophet: Those who love your law shall enjoy abundant peace; for them it is no stumbling block.
Even the most intimate bonds of friendship and the closest affinity of minds cannot truly lay claim to this peace if they are not in agreement with the will of God. Alliances based on evil desires, covenants of crime and pacts of vice – all lie outside the scope of this peace. Love of the world cannot be reconciled with love of God, and the man who does not separate himself from the children of this generation cannot join the company of the sons of God. But those who keep God ever in their hearts, and are anxious to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, never dissent from the eternal law as they speak the prayer of faith. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
These then are the peacemakers; they are bound together in holy harmony and are rightly given the heavenly title of sons of God, co-heirs with Christ. And this is the reward they will receive for their love of God and neighbour: when their struggle with all temptation is finally over, there will be no further adversities to suffer or scandal to fear; but they will rest in the peace of God undisturbed, through our Lord who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
-------------------------
When I think of peacemaking, I think of "keeping the peace" – helping resolve differences on all scales, from minor issues to international wars. If you take a look at what some of the Church fathers’ writings, however, you see something deeper. The ability to make peace all stems from God’s peace, which always begins at an individual level. Here’s a 1,500+ year old homily on that subject from a Doctor of the Church.
I’ve also attached a link to Thomas Aquinas’ Golden Chain, which compiles the work of several other of the ancient greats.
Link to text below
Catena Aurea Matthew 5 - Scroll Down to Verse 9
The Beatitudes:
Blessed are the Peacemakers
-- Pope St. Leo the Great
The blessedness of seeing God is justly promised to the pure of heart. For the eye that is unclean would not be able to see the brightness of the true light, and what would be happiness to clear minds would be a torment to those that are defiled. Therefore, let the mists of worldly vanities be dispelled, and the inner eye be cleansed of all the filth of wickedness, so that the soul’s gaze may feast serenely upon the great vision of God.
It is to the attainment of this goal that the next words refer: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. This blessedness, dearly beloved, does not derive from any casual agreement or from any and every kind of harmony, but it pertains to what the Apostle says: Be at peace before the Lord, and to the words of the prophet: Those who love your law shall enjoy abundant peace; for them it is no stumbling block.
Even the most intimate bonds of friendship and the closest affinity of minds cannot truly lay claim to this peace if they are not in agreement with the will of God. Alliances based on evil desires, covenants of crime and pacts of vice – all lie outside the scope of this peace. Love of the world cannot be reconciled with love of God, and the man who does not separate himself from the children of this generation cannot join the company of the sons of God. But those who keep God ever in their hearts, and are anxious to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, never dissent from the eternal law as they speak the prayer of faith. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
These then are the peacemakers; they are bound together in holy harmony and are rightly given the heavenly title of sons of God, co-heirs with Christ. And this is the reward they will receive for their love of God and neighbour: when their struggle with all temptation is finally over, there will be no further adversities to suffer or scandal to fear; but they will rest in the peace of God undisturbed, through our Lord who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Daily - 12/8/08
Matthew 5:6
6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
---------------
Link - I didn't write this
Originally written March 1, 2007 – by Bishop Thomas Olmsted
"I thirst." These words of Jesus from the Cross (Jn 19:28) were favorites of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. So convinced was she of their profound meaning that she asked that they be placed beside the crucifix in all the chapels of the Missionaries of Charity (the Religious Institute she founded).
These words point to basic human experiences that we can all relate to: thirst for water, thirst for meaning, thirst for love and so forth. They also point to the depths of the love of Jesus for us, to His desire to save everyone from the loneliness and pain of hell and to bring us into the Banquet of all banquets in Heaven. No doubt Mother Teresa was also thinking of the physical hunger and thirst of the poorest of the poor, to whom she dedicated her apostolic energy out of love for Christ. What person in the 20th century lived as convincingly as this saint from Calcutta the fourth Beatitude (Mt 5:6), "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied"?
Fast food fiasco
Contemporary American society tempts us to seek immediate gratification. It prompts us to adopt attitudes such as "having it my way," "doing what feels good," and "being comfortable with our choices." It urges us to "insist on our own rights," even at the expense of others’ rights, such as those of unborn children, the elderly and even one’s spouse.
What we have in society, as a result of these self-centered tendencies, is a famine for the things of God. But many don’t realize that there is a famine. They don’t notice that a social and emotional gluttony is spreading like a virus, leaving unfed the hungers of the heart and soul while camouflaging our God-given appetite for what is good, beautiful and true.
It is time to listen again to the Lord’s words (Is 55:2-3): "Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? …Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life."
A thirst for righteousness
Jesus, on many occasions, returned to the theme of the fourth Beatitude. For example, in the latter part of His Sermon on the Mount, which began with the Beatitudes, He says (Mt 6:31), "So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’… Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."
Righteousness, which could also be called holiness or justice, comes from being forgiven by God, freed from our slavery to the passions and brought into harmony with the Lord and with others. Our righteousness is not authentic if we try to make it a merely private matter between God and self without a concern for others. The righteous are eager for the dignity and rights of everyone to be respected. Such eagerness, contrary to what we might think, does not lead to a feverish activism. It leads rather to a heightened awareness of the human need for rest and prayer (Cf. Mk 6:31), along with the need for family and friends.
Of course, we never fully achieve righteousness here on earth. Nevertheless, God is continually summoning us to it, just as He did the Chosen People during their exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. Deuteronomy describes God’s saving action in this way (Deut 8:3): "He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna… in order to show you that not by bread alone does man live, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
A thirst that leads to trust in God
In the fourth Beatitude, Jesus draws our attention beyond the confines of what our five senses can detect. He lifts our minds and hearts to the things of eternity, far beyond the limits of this world. Jesus came that we might have abundant life (Cf. Jn 10:10), life like nothing this world can provide, indeed a share in the very life of the Blessed Trinity. Christ opens our horizon beyond material things, leading us to the things of God.
Psalm 42 provides us with a prayer that picks up the central motif of the fourth Beatitude (vv 2-3), "Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God. My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?"
To stretch towards heaven, to long for the day when we can enter into the presence of God and see Him face to face — this is the blessing that Jesus promises. This spiritual thirst, far from wearying the soul, actually refreshes and renews it. It is not wishful thinking but thoughtful longing. It is a thirst that coincides with God’s plan for our eternal happiness. It strengthens our trust in the Lord and our confidence in His love.
6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
---------------
Link - I didn't write this
Originally written March 1, 2007 – by Bishop Thomas Olmsted
"I thirst." These words of Jesus from the Cross (Jn 19:28) were favorites of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. So convinced was she of their profound meaning that she asked that they be placed beside the crucifix in all the chapels of the Missionaries of Charity (the Religious Institute she founded).
These words point to basic human experiences that we can all relate to: thirst for water, thirst for meaning, thirst for love and so forth. They also point to the depths of the love of Jesus for us, to His desire to save everyone from the loneliness and pain of hell and to bring us into the Banquet of all banquets in Heaven. No doubt Mother Teresa was also thinking of the physical hunger and thirst of the poorest of the poor, to whom she dedicated her apostolic energy out of love for Christ. What person in the 20th century lived as convincingly as this saint from Calcutta the fourth Beatitude (Mt 5:6), "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied"?
Fast food fiasco
Contemporary American society tempts us to seek immediate gratification. It prompts us to adopt attitudes such as "having it my way," "doing what feels good," and "being comfortable with our choices." It urges us to "insist on our own rights," even at the expense of others’ rights, such as those of unborn children, the elderly and even one’s spouse.
What we have in society, as a result of these self-centered tendencies, is a famine for the things of God. But many don’t realize that there is a famine. They don’t notice that a social and emotional gluttony is spreading like a virus, leaving unfed the hungers of the heart and soul while camouflaging our God-given appetite for what is good, beautiful and true.
It is time to listen again to the Lord’s words (Is 55:2-3): "Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? …Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life."
A thirst for righteousness
Jesus, on many occasions, returned to the theme of the fourth Beatitude. For example, in the latter part of His Sermon on the Mount, which began with the Beatitudes, He says (Mt 6:31), "So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’… Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."
Righteousness, which could also be called holiness or justice, comes from being forgiven by God, freed from our slavery to the passions and brought into harmony with the Lord and with others. Our righteousness is not authentic if we try to make it a merely private matter between God and self without a concern for others. The righteous are eager for the dignity and rights of everyone to be respected. Such eagerness, contrary to what we might think, does not lead to a feverish activism. It leads rather to a heightened awareness of the human need for rest and prayer (Cf. Mk 6:31), along with the need for family and friends.
Of course, we never fully achieve righteousness here on earth. Nevertheless, God is continually summoning us to it, just as He did the Chosen People during their exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. Deuteronomy describes God’s saving action in this way (Deut 8:3): "He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna… in order to show you that not by bread alone does man live, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
A thirst that leads to trust in God
In the fourth Beatitude, Jesus draws our attention beyond the confines of what our five senses can detect. He lifts our minds and hearts to the things of eternity, far beyond the limits of this world. Jesus came that we might have abundant life (Cf. Jn 10:10), life like nothing this world can provide, indeed a share in the very life of the Blessed Trinity. Christ opens our horizon beyond material things, leading us to the things of God.
Psalm 42 provides us with a prayer that picks up the central motif of the fourth Beatitude (vv 2-3), "Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God. My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?"
To stretch towards heaven, to long for the day when we can enter into the presence of God and see Him face to face — this is the blessing that Jesus promises. This spiritual thirst, far from wearying the soul, actually refreshes and renews it. It is not wishful thinking but thoughtful longing. It is a thirst that coincides with God’s plan for our eternal happiness. It strengthens our trust in the Lord and our confidence in His love.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Daily - 12/4/08
Matthew 5:5
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
------------------
Link (I didn't write this)
Jesus' Beatitude is a quotation from Psalm 37:11: "But the meek shall possess the land, they shall delight in abounding peace," and it taps into a strong biblical vision. Because the Israelites were people of the land, their dreams for peace often included the longing for a time when the land's bounty would not be destroyed and all could live on the land in peace.
Particularly beautiful is the vision of the future in Isaiah: "They shall live in the houses they build, and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant; they shall not build houses for others to live in, or plant for others to eat. As the years of a tree, so the years of my people; and my chosen ones shall long enjoy the produce of their hands. They shall not toil in vain, nor beget children for sudden destruction....The wolf and the lamb shall graze alike, and the lion shall eat hay like the ox. None shall hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord" (65:21-25).
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus also envisions a kingdom of God where peace and justice abound, where all God's children have a place of security and joy. This is the powerful dream Jesus summons up at the beginning of his ministry. Blessed are the meek, the powerless, the downtrodden, because in God's reign they will not remain disenfranchised but will inherit the land. The Gospel's vision of a just future that reverses the situations of oppression that so often hold sway extends now beyond the land of Israel to the whole earth and encompasses all those whose lives and hopes are threatened and who have no resource to lean on other than God's own providence.
What is remarkable in the Gospel of Matthew is that Jesus himself throws his lot with people like this. He describes himself as "meek and humble of heart" (11:29) and the evangelist cites the words of the prophet Zechariah to emphasize the paradox of Jesus the king entering Jerusalem on a donkey. "Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass..." (Matthew 21:5, citing Zechariah 9:9). Jesus' mission is to identify with the least (21:35-46), to teach and heal that they might have justice and to exemplify the virtues of gentleness and humility that the Spirit of God instills.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
------------------
Link (I didn't write this)
Jesus' Beatitude is a quotation from Psalm 37:11: "But the meek shall possess the land, they shall delight in abounding peace," and it taps into a strong biblical vision. Because the Israelites were people of the land, their dreams for peace often included the longing for a time when the land's bounty would not be destroyed and all could live on the land in peace.
Particularly beautiful is the vision of the future in Isaiah: "They shall live in the houses they build, and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant; they shall not build houses for others to live in, or plant for others to eat. As the years of a tree, so the years of my people; and my chosen ones shall long enjoy the produce of their hands. They shall not toil in vain, nor beget children for sudden destruction....The wolf and the lamb shall graze alike, and the lion shall eat hay like the ox. None shall hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord" (65:21-25).
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus also envisions a kingdom of God where peace and justice abound, where all God's children have a place of security and joy. This is the powerful dream Jesus summons up at the beginning of his ministry. Blessed are the meek, the powerless, the downtrodden, because in God's reign they will not remain disenfranchised but will inherit the land. The Gospel's vision of a just future that reverses the situations of oppression that so often hold sway extends now beyond the land of Israel to the whole earth and encompasses all those whose lives and hopes are threatened and who have no resource to lean on other than God's own providence.
What is remarkable in the Gospel of Matthew is that Jesus himself throws his lot with people like this. He describes himself as "meek and humble of heart" (11:29) and the evangelist cites the words of the prophet Zechariah to emphasize the paradox of Jesus the king entering Jerusalem on a donkey. "Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass..." (Matthew 21:5, citing Zechariah 9:9). Jesus' mission is to identify with the least (21:35-46), to teach and heal that they might have justice and to exemplify the virtues of gentleness and humility that the Spirit of God instills.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Daily - 12/3/08
Matthew 5:4
4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
-----------
Blessed are they who mourn. Mourn what? Temporal things? My own misfortunes? Someone else’s? Hurt feelings? Sin? My own sin? The sins of the world? People have different opinions. In a quick surfing of the web, I found two basic viewpoints, with examples below.
(1) "Suffering is a purifying experience. In losing a part of our lives or something we value, we are given, with the Spirit's aid, a clearer view of God. We come through suffering to see things - our lives, especially - not just as they appear, but as they really are."
(2) "Jesus says, "Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted." If we want to live this Beatitude, then we mourn for all the sin and evil in the world which is so offensive to God. Then we weep for our own sins, knowing that we ourselves have offended God in big ways and small. And if we truly live this Beatitude, we weep for love of our Savior who gave himself up to suffering for our sake." -- from Homily from Fr. Paul D. Williams Jr. - Ordinary Time 4 A --
Link
When I’m researching something and see differing opinions, I like to refer to ancient commentaries because (1) they’re written by folks who are heck of a lot smarter than me, and who have spent their lives considering such matters, and (2) they aren’t influenced by current trends. When I check Aquinas’ compilation of the patriarchs (Catena Aurea – "The Golden Chain"), the early church fathers tend to agree more with the second quote above. They say that that it’s more than our own trials, and that it’s about mourning sin – our own, and also of the world.
If you’re interested in checking some of that out for yourself, hit the following link:
Catena aurea Matthew 5 - Scroll down to verse 4
4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
-----------
Blessed are they who mourn. Mourn what? Temporal things? My own misfortunes? Someone else’s? Hurt feelings? Sin? My own sin? The sins of the world? People have different opinions. In a quick surfing of the web, I found two basic viewpoints, with examples below.
(1) "Suffering is a purifying experience. In losing a part of our lives or something we value, we are given, with the Spirit's aid, a clearer view of God. We come through suffering to see things - our lives, especially - not just as they appear, but as they really are."
(2) "Jesus says, "Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted." If we want to live this Beatitude, then we mourn for all the sin and evil in the world which is so offensive to God. Then we weep for our own sins, knowing that we ourselves have offended God in big ways and small. And if we truly live this Beatitude, we weep for love of our Savior who gave himself up to suffering for our sake." -- from Homily from Fr. Paul D. Williams Jr. - Ordinary Time 4 A --
Link
When I’m researching something and see differing opinions, I like to refer to ancient commentaries because (1) they’re written by folks who are heck of a lot smarter than me, and who have spent their lives considering such matters, and (2) they aren’t influenced by current trends. When I check Aquinas’ compilation of the patriarchs (Catena Aurea – "The Golden Chain"), the early church fathers tend to agree more with the second quote above. They say that that it’s more than our own trials, and that it’s about mourning sin – our own, and also of the world.
If you’re interested in checking some of that out for yourself, hit the following link:
Catena aurea Matthew 5 - Scroll down to verse 4
Daily - 12/3/08
Matthew 5:3
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
---------------------
I was going to send the entire list of Beatitudes. As I looked at them more closely, I learned that I didn’t really have that much to say about them. When that happens, it means that I have some studying to do. So … here we go. By necessity, I’ll be getting this information from various online sources, and will be providing links.
Link: Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit
The poor have a hard time providing for their own needs. They are forced to live simply. They are often dependent on the generosity of others to make ends meet. They need assistance. They are often uncouth and inarticulate since they never had the exposure to the culture of the affluent nor the opportunity for much education. Their interests tend to be immediate, about their daily bread. The range of their interests is limited so they cannot speak with deep insight about the social, economic and political forces that shape their lives.
The poor, therefore, are often ignored and excluded from the company of the affluent and the well-educated, who tend to regard them with condescension and to condemn them as shiftless, undisciplined, and undeserving.But if the poor are dependent on the generosity of others, is it right to lay the blame for this upon them? For accidents of birth or situation and lack of opportunity more than any fault of character may be to blame; just as the success of the rich is not cause for their self-congratulation.
St. Paul reminds us that the talents and circumstances that make success possible are also gifts. In fact, everything any of us has is a gift: "What have you which you have not received and if you have received it why do you glory as if you had received it not?" (1Co 4:7). When Our Lord said "Blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven is theirs," he was making clear that the poor are not to be excluded from the kingdom of heaven. They are welcome. The kingdom of heaven is theirs. And the rich are welcome too, if they are poor in spirit.
To be poor in spirit is to recognize that all we have is God’s gift: our very existence, our families, our health, our talents, our situations in life.
And Christ goes even further - even our successes. For he tells us that when we have done everything commanded of us we are still to remember that we are unprofitable servants (Lk 17:10). For only by God’s grace can we do anything to deserve everlasting life. We even pray under the impulse of the Holy Spirit (Rm 8:26-27; Mt 10:20).
The poor in spirit rejoice in their complete dependence on God. They find joy and security not in their possessions but in knowing God is taking care of them. They are secure like little children in the arms of their mothers and fathers. They rejoice not in their success but in their close relationship with God. They rejoice because their "names are written in heaven" (Lk 10:20).
The poor in spirit know Christ’s warning: "To whom more is given, more shall be expected"(Lk. 12:48) They recognize that the many gifts they have received - health, talent, beauty, wealth, education - come with a serious obligation to share their riches with those less fortunate and that they are not to squander their gifts of nature, nurture, and grace on vain self-aggrandizement or the empty pursuit of pleasure. They recognize that their abundance is given in trust to use for the coming of God’s kingdom, when God’s Will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. They know they must use their gifts for noble purposes.
They work for social justice, for peace, for the alleviation of the crushing weight of poverty that burdens so many. They use their wealth and talents for good purpose to see that those who are truly needy are cared for. If they are poor in spirit the poor never allow their material poverty to make them bitter or jealous. If they are poor in spirit, the rich never let their advantages of birth, talent or wealth become a snare for them.Those who are poor in spirit, then, truly bring about God’s kingdom - a kingdom of justice, peace, and love. The kingdom of heaven is theirs.
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
---------------------
I was going to send the entire list of Beatitudes. As I looked at them more closely, I learned that I didn’t really have that much to say about them. When that happens, it means that I have some studying to do. So … here we go. By necessity, I’ll be getting this information from various online sources, and will be providing links.
Link: Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit
The poor have a hard time providing for their own needs. They are forced to live simply. They are often dependent on the generosity of others to make ends meet. They need assistance. They are often uncouth and inarticulate since they never had the exposure to the culture of the affluent nor the opportunity for much education. Their interests tend to be immediate, about their daily bread. The range of their interests is limited so they cannot speak with deep insight about the social, economic and political forces that shape their lives.
The poor, therefore, are often ignored and excluded from the company of the affluent and the well-educated, who tend to regard them with condescension and to condemn them as shiftless, undisciplined, and undeserving.But if the poor are dependent on the generosity of others, is it right to lay the blame for this upon them? For accidents of birth or situation and lack of opportunity more than any fault of character may be to blame; just as the success of the rich is not cause for their self-congratulation.
St. Paul reminds us that the talents and circumstances that make success possible are also gifts. In fact, everything any of us has is a gift: "What have you which you have not received and if you have received it why do you glory as if you had received it not?" (1Co 4:7). When Our Lord said "Blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven is theirs," he was making clear that the poor are not to be excluded from the kingdom of heaven. They are welcome. The kingdom of heaven is theirs. And the rich are welcome too, if they are poor in spirit.
To be poor in spirit is to recognize that all we have is God’s gift: our very existence, our families, our health, our talents, our situations in life.
And Christ goes even further - even our successes. For he tells us that when we have done everything commanded of us we are still to remember that we are unprofitable servants (Lk 17:10). For only by God’s grace can we do anything to deserve everlasting life. We even pray under the impulse of the Holy Spirit (Rm 8:26-27; Mt 10:20).
The poor in spirit rejoice in their complete dependence on God. They find joy and security not in their possessions but in knowing God is taking care of them. They are secure like little children in the arms of their mothers and fathers. They rejoice not in their success but in their close relationship with God. They rejoice because their "names are written in heaven" (Lk 10:20).
The poor in spirit know Christ’s warning: "To whom more is given, more shall be expected"(Lk. 12:48) They recognize that the many gifts they have received - health, talent, beauty, wealth, education - come with a serious obligation to share their riches with those less fortunate and that they are not to squander their gifts of nature, nurture, and grace on vain self-aggrandizement or the empty pursuit of pleasure. They recognize that their abundance is given in trust to use for the coming of God’s kingdom, when God’s Will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. They know they must use their gifts for noble purposes.
They work for social justice, for peace, for the alleviation of the crushing weight of poverty that burdens so many. They use their wealth and talents for good purpose to see that those who are truly needy are cared for. If they are poor in spirit the poor never allow their material poverty to make them bitter or jealous. If they are poor in spirit, the rich never let their advantages of birth, talent or wealth become a snare for them.Those who are poor in spirit, then, truly bring about God’s kingdom - a kingdom of justice, peace, and love. The kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)