In today’s Gospel we hear Luke’s version of the Beatitudes in what is called the Sermon on the Plain. Matthew’s longer version is often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount as is the one most often think of when referring to the Beatitudes. We’ll sing this text during both Communion and the closing song during mass.
The staff at Prince of Peace is currently reading Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation called ‘Gaudete et exsultate – on the Call to Holiness in Today’s World’. In it, Pope Francis has this to say about the beatitudes:
#63. There can be any number of theories about what constitutes holiness, with various explanations and distinctions. Such reflection may be useful, but nothing is more enlightening than turning to Jesus’ words and seeing his way of teaching the truth. Jesus explained with great simplicity what it means to be holy when he gave us the Beatitudes (cf. Mt 5:3-12; Lk 6:20-23). The Beatitudes are like a Christian’s identity card. So if anyone asks: “What must one do to be a good Christian?”, the answer is clear. We have to do, each in our way, what Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount. [66] In the Beatitudes, we find a portrait of the Master, which we are called to reflect in our daily lives.
#65. Although Jesus’ words may strike us as poetic, they clearly run counter to the way things are usually done in our world. Even if we find Jesu’ message attractive, the world pushes us towards another way of living. The Beatitudes are in no way trite or undemanding, quite the opposite. We can only practice them if the Holy Spirit fills us with his power and frees us from our weakness, our selfishness, our complacency and our pride.
#66. Let us listen once more to Jesus, with all the love and respect that the Master deserves. Let us allow his words to unsettle us, to challenge us and to demand a real change in the way we live.
Otherwise, holiness will remain no more than an empty word…
#94…. Accepting daily the path of the Gospel, even though it may cause us problems: that is holiness.
If you would like to read more from Pope Francis on this, just google “Gaudete et exsultate” and you’ll find one from the Vatican in English. It’s a very intriguing document and makes us think about how to live every aspect of our lives in holiness.