8 BEATITUDES
The title of my homily is, “8 Beatitudes”.
In today’s gospel from Matthew we have the 8 Beatitudes of
Jesus.
Beatitudes – ways to be happy.
In some Catholic grammar schools – way back – we had to
memorize them.
Some say there are 9 beatitudes here in Mathew’s gospel
that we just heard. Some say there are
8. The last one is a bit longer – so it
can be listed as 1 or 2.
I get the meaning or
the gist of 6 of them. 2 of them don’t
have that big a grab for me – but they all have a good message.
The Gospel of Matthew begins with the Infancy Narratives –
Christmas stuff - 2 chapters – a bit
different from the Infancy Narratives and stories in Luke. In Matthew next come 2 chapters – some stuff on
John the Baptist – then the temptations of Jesus in the desert and then the calling of the different disciples by name.
Then in Chapter 5 of Matthew we have the Sermon on the Mount. It’s 3 chapters of sayings. This is the Year of the Gospel of Matthew. So
if you want to get and to know Matthew get to know the Sermon on the Mount for
starters.
Some think the Sermon on the Mount – these 3 chapters – 5,
6, and 7, were an early short Christian
document – called Matthew Q – now lost – but used by Matthew as an early part
of his gospel – which became 28 chapters – almost as long as the gospel of
Luke.
The Sermon on the Mount has Jesus gathering folks – sitting
down – and then giving them quick brief teachings – darts of thought. Starting
with the beatitudes, then messages like:
You are the salt of the earth or you are the light of the
world….
Keep the Law and the Prophets ….
Don’t kill, don’t be angry, don’t be cursing each other ….
When you come to the altar – first go to your brother or
sister and forgive and be forgiven – whatever needs to be forgiven ….
No adultery – even adultery in your eye – and in the mind
only ….
And on and on and on …. Including stuff on prayer – no
showing off – stop judging – go the extra mile - keep the golden rule – be a
good tree – producing good fruit in your life.
That’s some stuff on the Beatitudes and the Sermon the
Mount.
We have them now in the early part of the Christian year –
then comes Lent and Easter – then we jump back to Matthew – till the end of the
church year.
A SUGGESTION
For this year pick one of the 8 Beatitudes and make it your
own.
With your rosary say that beatitude 59 times on the 59 beads. Try them all till
one becomes your favorite.
For example: “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will
see God.”
Or, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God.”
Or pick out one of Jesus’ messages from the sermon on the
mount.
For example, “Go the extra mile.”
Or this one, “When you pray, go into your secret inner
room, shut the door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your
father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.”
Rosary beads are great for these one liners.
Or make up your own personal beatitudes, secrets of
happiness you have come up with, and try them out on your rosary. 59 of them
or just 10 of them. Take a few minutes saying or praying to thinking of
one of them while driving - or just
sitting alone in a Lazy Boy Chair.
For personal beatitudes I like these two I came up with –
probably stolen from someone: “Be who you is, because if you be who you ain’t,
then you ain’t who you is.” Or, “Learn to listen – especially by asking further
questions – to the person you’re listening
to.” Base the question on what they said. It’s a great way of telling the other
person you’re listening to them.
Enough already……
