As preached by Sister Cecelia
Holy Wisdom Church
The sermon on the mount is a summary of
Jesus’ consistent teaching that he taught all during the time he was with the
disciples. In Aramaic, the
language Jesus spoke, the word that is translated “happy” or “blessed” is an
exclamation of what is now, not in the future. They are not hopes of what shall
be, or prophecies of some future bliss, but congratulations for what is now.
In
effect, the beatitudes say, “Oh, the joy of following Christ!” It is a joy that is
completely
independent of all the chances and changes of life. The beatitudes speak of
that joy which seeks us through our pain, that joy which sorrow and loss, pain
and grief are powerless to touch, that joy which shines through our tears and
which nothing in life or death can take away. It is the awareness that comes
from walking in the company and presence of Jesus Christ that enables us not to
lose our joy when a change of fortune, a collapse in health, the disappointment
of an ambition for our life, or even an unlikable change in the weather
happens.
Life
demands that we have choices to make as we walk in the company of Jesus. What
enables us to choose our way, our decisions? What enabled all the saints we are
commemorating today to choose their way, to choose their decisions of how to
follow Christ?
In
pondering what criteria to use in order to better choose my way I came across a
meditation of what constitutes sin. Sin being the opposite of the joy of
following Christ.
Michael
Casey a Trappist monk in Australia, when a boy was told to be careful not to
put a stamp bearing the King’s image upside down on an envelope. It would be
considered a treasonable act and breaking a law. It seems humans have a
tendency to create crimes out of trivialities at times.
We
define sin as lawbreaking the laws of God. Nothing trivial about that. What if
sin is defined as its human impact rather than in terms of law? Physicians
might define sin as anything hazardous to health. Psychologists would define
sin as anything that impaired our sense of well-being. Everyone would probably
have a different catalogue of sins.
If
sin is defined as anything that is truly hateful we can see that sin is
what turns life into a tragedy. Behaviors such as murder, avarice, disloyalty,
dishonesty, and any kind of moral inconsistency brings sorrow to humanity.
Their ongoing impact is to tangle the lives of all whom they touch. Think of the hardship inflicted by the greed
of the wealthy. There are so many families ruined by thoughtless infidelities.
It is not just breaking the rules. Sin causes suffering, whether immediately or
ultimately, however it attempts to disguise its true nature by spinning clever
words to make it seem like something good. Whatever is truly hateful is sin.
Christ came to heal our weakness, ignorance and malice that are the ultimate
causes of sin.
The
opposite of being hateful are the admonitions of the beatitudes-poor in spirit,
merciful, clean of heart, forgiving, patient, kind, courteous and humble.
Just picture what the world would look like if
everyone was able to put aside forever hatefulness of everykind. Truly blessed
and joyful would be that day!
The joy of Christ be with you!
