We call it the Sermon on the Mount, a mount is just a sort of small hill or hummock; just high enough so that Jesus could be heard by the assembled company. But we immediately recognise that it is meant to be a parallel with Moses when he came down the mountain with the tablets of stone on which were engraved the ten commandments.
The Beatitudes & Ten Commandments
There was Moses the fierce old man trying to hold his people together as a cohesive group. Here is Jesus who respects the individuality of each human being and who builds up his followers with extraordinary gentleness and patience.There were the tablets of the law, full of do's and don'ts and with the fear of punishment behind them. Here are the Beatitudes which bring untold blessings on those who are embraced by them.Fr. Orlando Sapuay, M.S. goes on to explain that the ten commandments are basic rules of morality. But the beatitudes are a measure of how far beyond this the gospel calls us. The morality of the ten commandments is a morality that can be measured. The morality of the Beatitudes is harder to quantify; How poor in the spirit are you? How meek, gentle, merciful…?
To be a Christian therefore is not to be a follower of a set of rules, Fr. Alex McAllister points out. It is to be born again, to live a new life. It is to turn around and see things from a totally different perspective. The Beatitudes are a privileged glimpse at the world through the eyes of God. And its spinal cord is love. This is our love of God as well as belief in His love for us. And, Fr. James Gilhooley adds, this love also includes love of neighbor.
It is this challenge that sets Jesus’ moral teaching apart from others and gives it its unique character—and its real teeth. Fr. Ron Rolheiser isolates it for us. If the Gospel of Matthew, or perhaps the New Testament as a whole, gives us a litmus test for discipleship, this might be its one-line formulation: Can you love and forgive an enemy?
As the Church continues her pilgrim journey throughout history, we need a vision to sustain us and give us hope in the midst of our shadows, ambiguities and sins, our joys and hopes and victories. Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB says that biblical vision is found in the great Christian charter. And Father Cusick says Christ teaches us about holiness in the "Beatitudes" of Matthew.
Poverty and the Beatitudes
Jesus makes the daring statement that the downtrodden ones should in fact be declared blessed, i.e. fortunate. Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio's inquiring mind asks: Is Jesus endorsing indigence? What could possibly justify such a radical and apparently nonsensical conclusion? Fr. Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B. explains that Jesus certainly does not intend to bless powerlessness as such. However, He does affirm the blessedness of those who, because they are powerless, are saved from the illusion that worldly power can in fact give them (and us) us the only truly important and lasting gifts, such as, love, happiness and life itself. And, Fr. John Foley, S. J. adds, it is also easy to see the blessedness of the types He mentions: peacemakers, mercy givers, and fairness seekers.
Fr. Joseph Pellegrino reminds us how Jesus wept over Jerusalem because he could see the destruction the actions of the people were bringing on themselves. We, in the Church today, also weep for our country over those areas that are leading the country to moral decay. And we Christians are required to speak out. Jesus came to keep justice and mercy, truth and peace together. He came to save us. And through the Beatitudes, Fr. Phil Bloom explains, we are able to see who Jesus is and how - in Him - we can have justice with mercy, truth that leads to peace.
Imagine Jesus at the Mount delivering his sermon. When he finished, do you think the people applauded? Now imagine yourself at church and your pastor just delivered a really moving sermon. Will you applaud after his homily? Share your thoughts with us.
Discovering the Faith
Does the Catholic Church demand that all her followers march along in lockstep formation in a form of unthinking blind obedience? Of course that is the charge, not only from non-Catholics but also from 'dissenting' Catholics. Fr Longenecker always found it curious when people say, "Oh, how nice for you! Now that you're a Catholic you won't have to think anymore." The good father stimulates discussion with a piece he calls "Dissent or Discovery?"For the past three weeks, I've been receiving friendly weekly visits from a trio of well-intentioned door-to-door missionaries from the Jehovah's Witnesses. They come to talk about their faith and - without fail - we always end up talking about my Catholic faith. I admit I have come to enjoy these visits and I actually look forward to them because with each visit I see a flame of curiosity flicker inside each of them.
This past Wednesday, me and my new JW friends talked about Jesus as the Son of God. And not knowing anything about their faith, I learned they do not believe Jesus is God. Nor do they believe in the Holy Trinity. I explained that our creed tells us that Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, is “eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.” But let me bring in Mark Shea who explains how the very same question nearly tore the fourth century Church apart.
The other topic me and my Jehovah's Winesses friends are still chewing on is the Mystery of Transubstantiation. The Catholic doctrine of the Eucharist is a real stumbling block Protestants who are seriously considering Catholicism. Francis J. Beckwith explains that it was for him too, until he explored the subject, historically and scripturally. He presents a summary of his deliberations that moved his belief in the Holy Eucharist from a Stumbling Block to Cornerstone. I promise to have more stories for you next week about my newly-found JW friends - if they come around again as they promised.
Now here's one of the most common question that the leaders in your parish have frequently asked, "How can we get young people more involved in the church?" This question doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer. But Tony Rossi features two guests he recently and talks about the suggestions they've seen work.
Plus here's some really surprising news! After a 60-year lull, New York City is experiencing a revival of religious fervor. This is being reported in a recent study released by the Manhattan-based Values Research Institute. And that's all good.
St. Paul, Social Networking and More
On the 25th of January, the church celebrated the great feast of the conversion of St. Paul. Fr. Robert Barron talks to us and explains that this celebration provides the occasion for thinking about who we are as followers of Jesus Christ.This week from the Vatican, Pope Benedict talked about Ecumenism. He said that although Christians are still far from the unity that Jesus prayed for at the Last Supper, resignation and pessimism are signs of a lack of trust in the Holy Spirit's power. Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit, he urges.
And in keeping with the Vatican's longtime custom on the feast this week of the patron of journalists, St Francis de Sales, we saw the release of the papal message for the 45th World Communications Day, this year's focusing on "Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age." Rocco Palmo lovingly refers to it as "The Social Network," B16 Edition. In this message, the pope said the popularity of facebookers and social networking Internet sites reflects the human desire for relationships and meaning, which is a desire that is fully met with the truth of Christ.
March for Life Monday
On January 24, the 38th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion (Roe v. Wade), hundreds of thousands - clerics and young people - celebrated Mass before participating in the annual anti-abortion march known as the March for Life. In Washington DC, and in scenes duplicated in cities across the US, arenas were packed with thousands of swaying, praying teenagers, many wearing sweat shirts from the Catholic schools they attend or knit hats that said "We believe" or "March for Life." This comes on the heels of a report from the pro-abortion rights Alan Guttmacher Institute reports that there have been nearly 50 million abortions performed since 1973, the year the Supreme Court issued the Roe v. Wade decision ushering in legal abortion nationwide. According to Guttmacher, 35 percent of all U.S. women will have had an abortion by age 45.
Thus rightly, The U.S. bishops informed Congress this week that they are backing three bills before the House of Representatives that seek to prevent tax dollars from being used to fund abortions, and to protect the consciences of health care providers.
Purpose, The Rite & Mysteries of Parenting
From her newest post in her blog Mysteries of parenting, Judith Costello talks about the pending beatification of John Paul II and reflects on how it fills a glaring void today in our young people's MTV-filled lives for models of virtue and sacrifice. It is with great joy , she says, that we should celebrate the news that Pope John Paul II will be beatified in May! He is a true modern hero.
And here's a very very short one from Bo Sanchez. He announces that four days ago he lost his cell phone. So what, you might ask? It seems that from this seemingly insignificant accident, a valuable lesson came upon Bo: Everything Has A Purpose. Read on.
Finally, I assume you've seen its movie trailers during the past weeks on TV. This weekend marks the opening of director Mikael Hafstrom’s “The Rite”, based on journalist Matt Baglio’s 2009 book “The Rite: the Making of a Modern Exorcist.” Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP offers her movie review from a Catholic Communicator's point of view: The devil is back and he’s still mad. Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.
Keep the Faith. Peace.
Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief
BURNING QUESTION: Would you applaud after the homily?
FEATURED BLOG: Dissent or Discovery PASTORAL HISPANA: La verdadera felicidad
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