What a beautiful image the Gospel crafts for us with the disciples and others gathered around Jesus the Teacher eager to learn from him. He offers the Sermon on the Mount, one of the most impactive teachings of all time.
Jesus begins with the Beatitudes, calling them and us to become Beatitude people. St. Augustine wrote, “Beatitude means having everything you want (Christ) and wanting nothing more.” Some think that the way to have happy lives is to simply know the law, what is expected and do it. We need rules to set parameters, but they cannot change our hearts or satisfy our inner longings. Beatitude people do not need imposed directions; they make personal choices consistent with good values and common sense because their hearts are set on our Lord Jesus Christ, and not this passing world.
You may remember the story of the atheist who fell off a cliff. As he tumbled downward he grabbed hold of a branch on a small tree, a thousand feet above a rocky ravine. He knew that he wasn’t going to be able to hold for long. “God,” he shouted. There was silence. “God,” he shouted again. “If you exist, save me and I promise I will believe in you and teach others to believe.” Then came a voice booming across the canyon. “That’s what they all say when they’re in trouble.” “No God,” he answered. “I am not like the others. I have already begun to believe, having heard your voice for myself. Now all you have to do is save me and I will proclaim your name to the ends of the earth.” “Very well,” said the voice. “I will save you. Just let go of the branch.” “Let go of the branch,” yelled the man, “do you think I’m crazy?”
Do we trust God enough to let go of the branches of this world we cling to? Over time we know they will not hold us. Jesus in the Beatitudes gives us the characteristics for happiness different from those common to our culture. There thought be blessed are those who have the newest things, those with power. The poor and the vulnerable are seen as a drain or an embarrassment or without value. The meek are viewed as weak; the merciful are soft. Jesus offers something different, something more. He identifies the way of living which can bring us into conformity with our real purpose in life and thereby provide lasting happiness. Let us look at a couple of them.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Put negatively, sad are those who rely on themselves or others or the things of the world for happiness; their hope will be shattered.
The story is told that God warned the people that an earthquake would swallow all the waters of the land. The water that would take its place would make everyone insane. Only one man took God seriously. He carried jars of water to his mountain cave to store in anticipation. Sure enough the earthquake came and the waters vanished and new water filled the streams. Sometime later the man came down to the village to see what happened. Everyone had indeed gone mad. They attacked him because they thought that he was the one insane. The man returned to his cave thankful that he had been saved. But as time went on he became casual, prideful, lost touch with God and felt lonely. So he gave in to the lure of the world, drank the poisoned water and joined the others in their twisted truth. To be poor in spirit is to sometimes feel like we walk alone, rejected, ridiculed or ignored by those around us. But Jesus tells us that he will never leave us alone, walking with him to the kingdom of heaven can be ours despite the lonely and worrisome moments.
“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Put negatively, sad for those who seek pleasure and success for their own sake, they will never be satisfied.
A rich industrialist was horrified to find a fisherman reclining lazily beside his boat enjoying the sun and breeze. “Why aren’t you out fishing?” he asked. “Because I’ve caught enough today.” “Why not catch some more?” “What would I do with them?” “You could sell them, earn some money, and then you could buy a motor for your boat, go out into the deeper water and catch more fish. Then you could make enough money to buy nets. Soon you would have enough money to buy more boats, maybe a fleet of boats. Then you would be a rich man like me.” “What would I do then?” “Then you could really enjoy life.” Raising his hand to survey the sun and breeze, he responded, “What do you think I am doing now?” Sometimes we get so caught up in just doing more or to please others that we lose perspective and what and who is really important. Happy are those who revel in God’s gift of life each day, they shall be satisfied.
When we are poor in spirit, we are more open to the movement of grace in our lives. When we mourn, we are more open to the gift of life for all. When we are meek we are more open to recognizing the crosses others bear. When we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we are more open to sharing our plenty and seeking justice for all especially the vulnerable. When we are merciful, we are more open to avoiding anger and are able to forgive. When we are clean of heart, we are more open to seeing God’s love and presence all around us. When we are peacemakers, we are more open to our need for one another. When we stand up for what is right and true and face insults or rejection as a result, we are more open to place our trust in our Lord who promises that the reward in heaven will be great.
In the days when airlines still served meals, a flight attendant asked a man if he would like dinner. “What are my choices”, the man asked. “Yes or no” was the response. Jesus invites us to the contentment of happiness that comes with being Beatitude people, “those who have everything (Christ) they want and want nothing more.” Are we holding on to the branches of this passing world or are we willing to let go and trust in the Lord who came and comes to save us? The choices are: yes or no.