When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he
had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them,
saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom
of heaven.” Matthew 5:1–3
Today we are given the incredibly high calling of the Beatitudes to
ponder. These lessons were taught by Jesus on a hill just north of
the Sea of Galilee. Many were coming to Jesus to listen to Him
preach and to witness His many miracles. They flocked to Him in
this remote location, and Jesus had them recline as He preached
what is now referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount.” This sermon
is found in Chapter 5 through 7 of Matthew’s Gospel, and it takes
place shortly after Jesus began His public ministry.
What a way to begin His public ministry! This teaching of Jesus was
brand new and must have left many people mesmerized. Jesus no
longer taught only the precepts of the Old Testament, such as the
Ten Commandments; He now elevated the moral law to a level never
conceived of before.
As the people listened to this new teacher speak with new authority
and wisdom, they may have been excited and confused at the same
time. To hunger and thirst for righteousness, to be merciful and
clean of heart, and to be a peacemaker could have been accepted.
But why was it that being poor, mournful, and meek were considered
blessings? And even more challenging, why was it good to be
persecuted for the sake of righteousness or insulted and falsely
accused because of Jesus?
When Jesus’ new and radical teaching is clearly understood, it is
not only His first disciples who may have been confused and excited
at the same time. You, too, if you truly listen to His teachings
and understand what He means, will find that you may be challenged
to the core of your being. Jesus’ teaching must be embraced, fully,
and without hesitation.
The Beatitudes are our call to perfection. They lay out for us the
path by which we travel to the heights of holiness and obtain the
glory of Heaven. They are our fine-tuned and detailed road map to
the fullness of happiness and joy. But they also call us to a
radical transformation of our minds and in our actions. They are
not “easily” embraced, in the sense that they require that we turn
from every selfish tendency we have and choose to live free of
every earthly temptation, attachment and sin. Perfection awaits
those who listen to, understand, and embrace the Beatitudes.
Reflect, today, upon the beginning of this challenging Sermon on
the Mount. Try to find time to take each Beatitude to prayer. It is
only through prayer and meditation that the full meaning of each of
these invitations to holiness will be understood. Start with the
call to interior poverty of spirit. This Beatitude calls us to
complete detachment from all that is not part of God’s will. From
there, consider the importance of mourning over your sin, of
seeking purity of heart and humility in all things. Ponder each
Beatitude and spend time with the one most challenging to you. Our
Lord has much to say to you through this sermon. Don’t hesitate to
allow Him to lead you to the heights of holiness through it.
Lord of all holiness, You are perfect in every way. You lived
every virtue and Beatitude to perfection. Give me the grace to open
myself to You so that I may hear You call me to perfection of life
and so that I may respond generously with my whole life. Make me
holy, dear Lord, so that I will find the happiness and fulfillment
You wish to bestow. Jesus, I trust in You.
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