The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us with visions of ultimate triumph over persecution as all peoples of the earth are called to God's Presence after a journey as children of God who strive to be Beatitude people.
Children on the journey
The reading from the Book of Revelation is a vision of the multitude from every nation around the Throne of God.
* [7:4–9] One hundred and forty-four thousand: the square of twelve (the number of Israel’s tribes) multiplied by a thousand, symbolic of the new Israel (cf. Rev 14:1–5; Gal 6:16; Jas 1:1) that embraces people from every nation, race, people, and tongue (Rev 7:9).1
Psalm 24 is a prayer for entrance into the Temple.
* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10).2
The reading from the First Letter of John declares that we should be called children of God.
* [3:1–3] The greatest sign of God’s love is the gift of his Son (Jn 3:16) that has made Christians true children of God. This relationship is a present reality and also part of the life to come; true knowledge of God will ultimately be gained, and Christians prepare themselves now by virtuous lives in imitation of the Son.3
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with The Beatitudes.
* [5:3–12] The form Blessed are (is) occurs frequently in the Old Testament in the Wisdom literature and in the psalms. Although modified by Matthew, the first, second, fourth, and ninth beatitudes have Lucan parallels (Mt 5:3 // Lk 6:20; Mt 5:4 // Lk 6:21b; Mt 5:6 // Lk 6:21a; Mt 5:11–12 // Lk 5:22–23). The others were added by the evangelist and are probably his own composition. A few manuscripts, Western and Alexandrian, and many versions and patristic quotations give the second and third beatitudes in inverted order.4
Edward Morse comments that we remember and honor those who have finished the struggle and dwell with our Lord as his children, seeing him as he is, face to face. We who continue to struggle need their prayers and the light of God reflected through their lives to show us the way and give us hope that we, too, are God’s kinfolk.
The scriptures point us toward the life and works of our Lord, whose incarnation shows us the Father’s likeness. But this likeness is also revealed through the lives of others, who reflect the image and likeness of God through their lives and works. The reality of our kinship is made known to us, as well as to others (including those who are not in the family) by reflecting this image. In a sense, it becomes a common way of speaking truth that may not require a common language. In this way, God’s will is done on earth, as it is in heaven, as we are taught to pray.5
Don Schwager quotes “Perfect blessedness is humility of spirit,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).
"'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' The Lord taught by way of example that the glory of human ambition must be left behind when he said, 'The Lord your God shall you adore and him only shall you serve' (Matthew 4:10). And when he announced through the prophets that he would choose a people humble and in awe of his words [Isaiah 66:2], he introduced the perfect Beatitude as humility of spirit. Therefore he defines those who are inspired as people aware that they are in possession of the heavenly kingdom... Nothing belongs to anyone as being properly one's own, but all have the same things by the gift of a single parent. They have been given the first things needed to come into life and have been supplied with the means to use them." (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 4.2)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 5:1-12 notes that Jesus doesn’t want us to actively seek out persecution and sorrow. But he wants us to know that following him may lead to such challenges. That’s because the way of discipleship is often at odds with the ways of the world.
In a world marred by resentment and vengeance, Jesus wants us to forgive and turn the other cheek. In a world focused on money and power, Jesus wants us to live humbly and give generously. In a world wounded by wars and divisions, Jesus wants us to love our enemies and work for peace. Every saint, both known and unknown, has experienced this tug-of-war between the world and the kingdom of God. And that’s precisely why we celebrate them today: they “have survived the time of great distress” with their faith intact (Revelation 7:14). It’s not just the saints. Every believer has their own times of “great distress” as well.7
Friar Jude Winkler connects the 144,000 to their spiritual identity in the patriarchs and apostles. The numberless have washed their clothes white in the Blood of the Lamb. Friar Jude outlines the counter intuitional call of the Beatitudes to humility, compassion, singlemindedness for God, and sharing peace.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, wrote in Sojourners magazine that for him, voting is a deeply moral act—a decisive statement of Christian faith that I matter, that justice matters, and that other people matter.
We must use the power of the Gospel to critique and affirm both the Left and the Right on most public positions, even while knowing that political or programmatic changes—of themselves—will never fully bring about the goodness, charity, or transformation that the Gospel offers the world. What I mean by public virtue is primarily about solidarity with others, as opposed to an exclusive concern with “my inner life.” As different parts of the Body of Christ, we each have strengths and gifts that are needed by the entire body. We are called by the Spirit to use these gifts in service and love for our hurting world and not just for our private sense of “holiness.”8
On our journey as children of God we work to shine the light of Beatitude people in areas where Love in solidarity and kinship is under persecution.
References
No comments:
Post a Comment