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Sermon On The Mount
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August 15, 2023In this post, I'd like to explore the Sermon on the Mount, which can be found in the book of Matthew, specifically in chapter 5. Although the Gospel of Luke presents a condensed version of the sermon, most people refer to the comprehensive version as recorded in Matthew's Gospel.
The sermon begins with the Beatitudes, which means “Blessedness” but it’s also a guide to the attitudes we should adopt, hence the term "BE-Attitudes." Jesus' sermon serves as a kind of Manifesto for the citizens of the Kingdom of God, so it is beneficial for us to frequently read and reflect on it.
In Matthew’s account Jesus starts by saying, "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit." However, in Luke's Gospel, Luke records that Jesus simply says, "Blessed are the Poor."
It is possible when Luke condensed his account of the sermon, he neglected to add the phrase “in spirit” when he quoted Jesus as saying Blessed are the Poor.” This significantly changes the meaning of the first beatitude.
How can there be blessedness in any form of poverty?
Poverty implies a state of lack or being in need. Whether it is material or spiritual poverty, it signifies insufficiency within ourselves. Jesus' words were always profound and multilayered. In this context, He is referring to an attitude that acknowledges our daily dependence on God. The food we eat and the air we breathe are gifts from God. Without a nurturing God who provides us with the warmth of the sun, life would not exist here.
The beatitude is not nesssarily focusing on the blessedness of poverty. It is about recognizing our need for God. This is the crucial lesson Jesus intends to teach us. If you have come to the realization that you are lacking, you are truly blessed. Spiritual or material poverty often causes us to reach for God. Therein lies the blessing.
The poverty mentioned by Jesus implies a thorough understanding of our own limitations. It encompasses a profound awareness of our inherent imperfections, coupled with the acknowledgment that we lack the capacity to rescue ourselves and discover the completeness and peace we universally yearn for.
Poverty makes us aware of our deficit not just in our spirituality but in our entire life.
Frequently, we find ourselves ill-prepared to confront the trials and stresses of each pasing day. Without this introspective examination, it becomes exceedingly difficult for God to penetrate our defensive barriers.
Poverty compels us to seek answers outside of ourselves and directs our gaze upward, which is precisely what God desires. This beatitude has more to do with a sense of incompleteness than physical poverty.
The beginning of our spiritual journey starts with recognizing our own impoverishment. This is why Jesus felt a unique fondness for those who grasp their spiritual or material insufficiency. God wants us to reach for him. Thats the point.
Alternatively, we can interpret the first Beatitude as
Blessed are you if you are not enslaved by material possessions.
Our culture and world often prioritize materialism, as seen in the popular saying, "He who dies with the most toys wins." Jesus once told a story about a rich man who accumulated a great amount of grain and planned to live a life of ease, saying, "Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry." However, God said to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be taken from you, and then who will inherit what you have prepared for yourself?"
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn?
Who would willingly choose to mourn? It's not something people eagerly line up for; it frightens us. However, some of life's most profound lessons can only be learned through hardship. Deep down, I believe we all recognize this truth.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, it is said that the heart of the wise resides in the house of mourning, while the heart of fools seeks pleasure.
Another way to look at this beatitude is to read it this way.
Blessed are those who are not addicted to good feelings.
Our society is consumed with the relentless pursuit of happiness, indulging in self-gratification and constantly seeking pleasure. Yet, the Bible encourages moderation in all things.
Consider the first temptation faced by Jesus when He was asked to turn stones into bread—an invitation to satisfy the fleshly desires and feel good. There is indeed a blessedness in resisting such pursuits.
When we encounter the hardships and obstacles that life presents, they can serve as catalysts for us to venture beyond our own selves, instigating moments of contemplation, awe, and humility. It is during these instances that our attention may divert from self-centeredness, enabling us to grasp the world with a more expansive outlook.
Bishop Barron highlights the third path to holiness as recognizing that life is not solely about ourselves and that we are not the center of it all. We all need occasional reminders of this truth.
Our most significant life lessons often come wrapped in tears.
Blessed Are the Meek
Who aspires to be meek? It's not a desirable trait for people whose understanding of meekness has been shaped by popular culture.
Meekness is not synonymous with weakness; it is, in fact, a display of power and strength under control. Think of Jesus, Moses, and the warrior King David. Consider the examples of Joan of Arc, Mother Teresa, and Desmond Doss, who, as a conscientious objector, received the Medal of Honor for saving 75 men on Okinawa in 1945. If this is what meekness entails, then count me in.
Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness
Persecution may not be a common experience in our country and culture when it comes to our faith. We may encounter occasional disapproval or dismissive attitudes, but it doesn't compare to the severe persecution and loss of life that believers face in other parts of the world. It can be challenging for us to fully understand their plight.
In my own personal journey, I encountered persecution during my early adult years. Merely having a crucifix and a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in my toolbox led to multiple instances where I faced threats of physical harm. This unsettling phase spanned two years, during which I endured relentless and hurtful insults from several individuals. At that time, I certainly did not perceive any sense of divine favor.
Nevertheless, amidst those challenging moments, I experienced the presence of God in extraordinary ways and it brought me strength and encouragement during that period of hardship. Those memories continue to resonate with me to this day.
To make this beatitude more relevant to our lives in America, we could reframe it as follows: Blessed are those who are not enslaved by seeking the approval of others.
Many of us constantly seek validation and recognition, and even the smallest hint of not being acknowledged can bother us. Seeking affirmation is natural, but what I'm referring to here is the excessive need for approval, which can negatively impact our careers, families, and relationships.
How many of us find ourselves on a roller coaster ride, believing that our happiness lies in gaining approval from others? From my personal experience, I can tell you that this pursuit often leads to frustration, tension, anger, and a lack of inner peace. In some cases, it can even result in anxiety and depression. Should we care about what others think? Certainly, but we cannot live our lives solely to please others while disregarding our own true selves.
Let us remember that Jesus said, "Love one another as you love yourself." We need to nurture and affirm ourselves without neglecting those around us.
We Are the Salt of the Earth.
Salt adds flavor and, in the past, it was used as a preservative before the advent of refrigeration. But what many people don't realize is that salt can also be used as a tool of destruction. In ancient times, salt was spread on the fields of conquered enemies to prevent the growth of crops.
Jesus is telling us that we are called to bring a unique and special flavor to our world, right where we are, by using our distinct personalities. He wants us to "preserve" our friends, families, and culture by living and acting as children of God. The Christian life and message also have a disruptive and destructive element associated with it. We are tasked with sowing the seeds of God's word in our environment that is often hostile to our message. We are called to be at odds with the opposing forces of darkness. In that sense, salt is destructive in nature. Modernity hates a church that shows up, that lives and acts as Jesus did because of that we should expect the world to be at odds with our message.
Jesus Himself stated that He did not come to establish peace, but rather to bring a sword. His teachings were frequently met with rejection, and we should expect the same. As followers of God, we are tasked with preserving our unique identity as His children, even when surrounded by a culture that opposes His message.
Be the salt that God needs you to be.
Turn the Other Cheek
In Matthew 5:17, Jesus begins to interpret the law, addressing matters such as murder, divorce, and how to handle insults. Let's take a moment to clarify this often-misunderstood passage.
The Old Testament contains a collection of 613 Mosaic Laws as guidelines for their religious and social practices. Among these laws, the Ten Commandments hold a special significance as they serve as a condensed summary of the broader Mosaic Laws.
In one of his teachings, Jesus made a specific reference to being struck on the right side of the face. During the time of Jesus, much like today, the majority of individuals were right-handed, while the use of the left hand was often considered unclean. Hence, if someone were to slap you on the right side of your face with their right hand, it would typically be a backhanded slap—a particularly demeaning action. This type of slap carried even greater insult and humiliation. In fact, there were notable consequences and penalties imposed for committing such an offense during that era.
In this passage, Jesus is addressing the way we should handle insults, rather than how we respond to physical harm. Unfortunately, we have misunderstood the meaning of this passage. Christ's intention is not to dissuade us from defending ourselves in the face of physical violence. On the contrary, Jesus offers us a deeper insight into how we should manage insults and slights.
Jesus imparted this teaching while clarifying the true meaning of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." His message emphasizes that we should refrain from pursuing personal retribution or revenge.
He was teaching against taking personal vengeance against others. It’s not about self-defense. The passage does not comment on how we should act if our life is threatened. The theme of the scriptures (old and new) seems to support a justified response to physical violence while an insult should never include a physical confrontation.
Jesus Himself responded with force when He overturned the tables of the money changers and did not “turn the other cheek.” Nor did Jesus back down from the reproach and insults of the religious community. He often confronted them directly. However, during His trial, when He was being interrogated, He refused to seek retaliatory justice in an "eye for an eye" manner. He entrusted that to God.
We have the right to defend ourselves, yet our reaction must not exceed the boundaries of self-defense. Seeking revenge is always unwarranted.
Jesus is teaching us that violence often begins with a slight or insult. Just as the act of murder starts with an angry thought and adultery begins with a casual look so violence often arises from a reaction to an insult. Jesus instructs us to walk away from such situations.
When insulted, we are called to turn the other cheek and not let the situation escalate. We should not seek retaliatory justice in the form of "an eye for an eye." Instead, we should entrust our concerns to God. Whenever possible, Jesus urges his listeners to stand nonaggressive, but defiantly, in the face of aggression. The work of MLK and Gandhi come to mind here. Their movements would never have survived if their non-violent response was different.
Jesus seems to imply that we should choose our conflicts wisely and avoid engaging with a hot-tempered insulter. Such encounters will only result in escalating tensions. Remember, it is futile to try correcting someone who mocks others, for they will only grow to despise you. This wisdom is echoed in Proverbs 9 “Never correct a mocker they will hate you.”
I have a saying, “Never argue over a parking spot or a dog.” Don’t involve yourself in frivolous arguments.
There is a huge difference between just action and revenge.
Jesus consistently looks beyond surface appearances and delves straight into the depths of our hearts. Within our hearts lie our hidden motives which guide our actions. Consequently, Jesus aims to bring about transformation in that very place.
Whenever you experience anger, annoyance, or pain, take a moment to engage in a conversation with God about it. Often, through such introspection, we come to realize that our distress is rooted in an incorrect perception of the situation.
Closing
In conclusion, the Sermon on the Mount presents Jesus' teachings in a concise and definitive manner, contrasting them with our present culture, and it is crucial for us as Kingdom citizens to thoroughly read and understand it. Through them, we gain insight into the principles by which God's government operates. A government to which we, as believers belong.