Who can spell the verb “be?” Not the insect that makes honey, but the verb as in Shakespeare’s famous line “To be or not to be.”
Good. Now, who can spell the word “attitude,” as in a way of thinking or acting, a behavior, or a point of view? You should have spelled it, A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E.
Now re-spell it, by taking out the first “T” and adding the verb “be” to the word, and what does it spell? That’s right, “Beatitude,” as in today’s Gospel from Matthew.
Father John Powell, in his famous books, calls the Beatitudes “blessings.” Father Richard Rohr calls them “happy attitudes.” Father William Fitzgerald, in his book entitled Blessings for the Fast Paced and Cyberspaced, refers to the Beatitudes as “upside down blessings.”
As for me, I often refer to the Beatitudes as “Yes, … but…”
For example:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Yes, God does bless those who are poor in spirit … but … doesn’t He want me to be prosperous?
Who are the poor in spirit in the mind of Jesus? Are they not the ones who empty themselves and recognize their need and dependence upon God?
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Yes, God does bless those who mourn … but … for some, the loss of a loved one is so great that they are never truly comforted.
My own father was so distraught at the death of our mother that he really was never the same, and said every day that he wanted to die, so he could be with her.
Leo Buscaglia tells the story of being asked to judge a contest to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next-door neighbor was an elderly man who had just lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy climbed over the fence and sat on the old man’s lap.
When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Yes, God does bless the meek … but … let’s be practical. If I am gentle or kind, will people walk all over me? Isn’t it better to consider myself the greatest, the best or number one?
Who are the meek in the mind of Jesus? Aren’t they the ones who know the truth about their own self-worth and don’t need to flaunt it?
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Yes, God does bless those who hunger for righteousness … but … wouldn’t that make me a religious fanatic and the butt of jokes?
What is righteousness? Virtue, morality, decency, honesty, integrity - all traits worth thirsting for.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” Yes, easy to say … but … how do I offer mercy to those who have hurt me or my country, including criminals, murderers or foreign enemies? Does that make me soft on crime?
Or is Jesus asking me to extend mercy to the person, not the crime or betrayal?
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Yes, it sounds good to be pure … but … isn’t it more useful to be clever, streetwise and tough?
Or does Jesus ask us to be simple, innocent, childlike and trusting in God?
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Yes, peace is good … but … the “bad guys” have guns, so don’t I need one, too? Doesn’t a country have the right to retaliate in war?
Or do I need to rethink my definition of peace to align with Jesus?
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Yes, we all will suffer at some point in our lives … but … who wants to suffer? Isn’t it better to be assertive and aggressive so I am not a victim?
Or do I need to reflect and pray on how I choose to approach and handle suffering?
The Beatitudes put a spin on what brings true happiness. Jesus catches His listeners completely off guard. He turns everything upside down. Following His instructions is unnatural, which is why we need His supernatural help.
How many of us really believe there is more happiness in being poor than rich? More happiness in being hungry than being fed? How many of us find happiness in grieving and mourning? And what about being persecuted, ignored or beaten? Isn’t happiness easier to find when one is wealthy and successful in the eyes of the world?
If happiness is found in being poor, hungry, grieving, or persecuted, then why did Jesus work to alleviate such human suffering and command us to do the same?
Obviously, poverty, hunger, suffering and grieving are not good in themselves. In fact, we are obliged to help remove such pain.
Aristotle once stated, “Most people, unfortunately, identify happiness with pleasure.” This great Greek philosopher, who lived hundreds of years before Christ, did not believe that happiness and pleasure were the same thing. While power, possessions and prestige may bring pleasure, they do not necessarily bring happiness.
Aristotle taught that happiness comes from doing virtuous acts. Jesus agrees, and that is why he taught us the Beatitudes.
The Beatitudes are the heart and soul of Jesus’ message. They are about conversion. They are about seeing as God sees, not through rose-colored glasses, but in light of His kingdom, here and now, and yet to come. The Beatitudes are about compassion, mercy and forgiveness.
The Beatitudes are hope for all of us, regardless of how small-minded, selfish, or sinful we may be. They describe how our hearts and minds must be if we truly desire a right relationship with God. Humility and forgiveness are essential; arrogance, deception and selfishness are not.
Or, as we heard in our first reading from the prophet Zephaniah, “Seek the Lord, … seek justice, seek humility.”
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