Beatitudes reveal mind of God

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

By Msgr. John N. Fell

This Sunday we are treated to one of the most beautiful and beloved passages in St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ presentation of the Beatitudes. Understanding the Beatitudes is crucial for understanding the rest of Jesus’ mission for they express the definitive ethics of the Christian community, and are, in a certain sense, the constitution of the Kingdom of God. The Beatitudes refine the moral absolutes of the Ten Commandments by setting believers on the road to perfection; our task as followers of Christ is not simply to avoid evil, but always to be striving to do (ever better) good.

In order to properly approach the Beatitudes, however, we would do well to consider our second reading this Sunday, a reading taken from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. In this section of his letter, Paul is exhorting the Corinthian community to look at life, not in their old earthbound ways, but rather through God’s eyes. As an example, Paul tells the Corinthians to simply look at themselves -- a rather motley crew by human standards, without many connections to the learned, the powerful, or the noble. Yet, it was they who had been chosen by God to carry forward his mission of converting the entire world to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul explains that God did this precisely so that no one could boast that the success of the Gospel was due to their eloquence or power or wisdom. Rather, it was the wisdom of God that had formed them into his community, and it was the power of God’s wisdom that was to prevail in drawing the world to himself.

Paul emphasized that, for Christians, salvation comes not from what we have done, but rather from what God has done for us. God’s standards are different from human standards, and all people must open their hearts and minds to accepting this. Thus, Paul says, if they want to boast about anything, make it boasting, not about their wisdom, power, or prestige, but rather about the fact that God has chosen them in Christ Jesus, and that, through Christ Jesus, we have all come to salvation. That, Paul teaches, is truly the mind of God.

The Beatitudes as well reveal the mind of God. They are expressions of the blessing and good fortune of those lucky enough to find themselves in certain concrete situations. And yet, to the human mind, they must seem terribly puzzling -- after all, if one wants to get ahead in this world, it is really better to be meek or humble or oppressed? Is it really the merciful and those who mourn who are seen as the powerful ones? Are the righteous and pure of heart really satisfied with the condition of society?

God will show special favor to those who are meek and merciful. The pure of heart and those who seek after peace will have their greatest longings satisfied. And to those who are chosen to suffer for the sake of the Gospel Jesus says, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” .

(Mt 5:12a)

It is precisely here that we are reminded that God’s ways are not the ways of humanity, and that God’s foolishness is wiser than even the greatest human wisdom. The Beatitudes are prophetic declarations of the mind of God, Jesus’ revelation of how God sees things. The truth of the Beatitudes does not come from human experience, but rather from the supreme fact that they express the mind and will of the Father.

As such, the Beatitudes present God’s definitive answer to the question, “Who are the important ones in the Kingdom of Heaven?” We learn that the heavenly nobility consists of those who are “poor in spirit,” that is, those who profoundly recognize their need of God. Those who mourn the sinful condition of the world and who thirst for justice, they are the ones who will be raised up in heaven. God will show special favor to those who are meek and merciful. The pure of heart and those who seek after peace will have their greatest longings satisfied. And to those who are chosen to suffer for the sake of the Gospel Jesus says, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Mt 5:12a).

The Beatitudes are not simply beautiful religious poetry, but rather a real challenge to set aside earthly perspectives and to see things through Jesus’ eyes. May we adopt Paul’s advice and come to boast about and rely upon not our own abilities and achievements, but rather on everything our God has done for us. That is the first step of our journey toward heavenly glory and a good orientation for our spiritual focus as we seek to adopt the mindset of God.

Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, diocesan Office for Priest Personnel

Francis-Xavier Bianchi

1743-1815 January 31

Born in Sicily, he was educated at Naples and wanted to enter religious life, despite his father’s opposition. But he persevered and entered the Congregation of Clerks Regular of St. Paul, or Barnabites, though the conflict prompted a long illness. He was ordained in 1797, serving as superior of two colleges for 15 years and in other posts. More and more he exercised his priesthood by hearing confessions, and his health was affected. He was seen as a living saint; one miracle attributed to him was stopping the flow of lava from an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1805.