Sat. and Sun, Feb 26 and 27 Lectionary 346 and 83
103:13-14.15-16.17-18. March 10:13-16:
If we do not accept the kingdom of God our ultimate goal as a child, we
shall not enter it. Jesus continues his beautiful sermon on the Mount
through the tradition of Matthew. It consists of three chapters and is the
first of the five great sermons Matthew gives us as readers who believe in
the living Word of God and the living voice of Jesus experienced in the
liturgical celebration. Sundays are even more focused for us as more time
is put into the preparation of the sermon or homily. Let us then be
attentive and listening with the ears of our hearts as St. Benedict would
have us do.
We see Jesus seated on the hillside (the "Mount of Beatitudes") in the
customary position of a teacher of the Torah (God's instruction and
revelation to us in the first five books of the Bible). Matthew gives us
the portrait of Jesus as a new Moses. As he teaches or preaches, naturally
the children would press to get near him; his disciples are not happy with
this and try to have them moved away from being close to Jesus. He
corrects them and offers them and us a marvelous teaching in moment in
which we learn that we must lay aside our lofty secular thoughts and
reasonings and become open-minded and trusting as a child. The reading
tells us he touches them, embraces them, and blesses them! Would that all
children could experience such love!
As adults we, too, need to approach Jesus as these children do. They get
near to him; they are present to him and they are spell bound by his words
so loving given to them as he holds them. He is better than Santa Claus
giving them and us the Words of life that are gifts beyond anything we
could offer them. Santa pales in relation to him. We are even helped by
those who counsel us when they tell us we need to get in touch with the
child within us. We need to heal those early experiences when we did not
feel loved or were neglected. Jesus is there for us as adults, as
teenagers, as seniors of high rank or just ordinary people aging. He wants
us to push away our anxieties (die Angst) and our worries brought about by
the tensions and stress within our life. He tells us to seize the present
as a sacramental moment. We have only the present in which to realize this
as the past is a closed book and should not cause us to fret or to worry
about it. It has been forgiven and we need to close those chapters of our
life's book whether it be like a novel, a biography, or a history book. The
future is not under our control and when it does come, we are again capable
of making it a sacramental moment. Carpe Diem! Seize the opportunity,
take advantage of the present day. We need to be children when it comes to
the highest form of our living--our spiritual inward self that only God
really knows. We think we know ourselves, but do we? The patterns seem to
be the same each time we review them or make an examen of conscience.
Honesty, simplicity, and joy are part of our child-like self and these are
the keys to the kingdom. We are not to judge as the disciples do. They are
still thinking human thoughts and not those of God or Jesus, therefore, he
needs to teach them and us.
Mother Teresa and Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus are examples of how to
live in the presence of God as a child and they were capable of helping
others than those with wealth, power, or fame. Their "little way" is a
shortcut to heaven. May we learn from them and others who follow in their
footsteps. Amen.
Scripture: Lectionary 83( 2/27/11). Isaiah 49:14-15. Psalm 62:2-3.6-7.
8-9. I Corinthians 4:1-5. Matthew 6:24-34.
This Sunday reading fits in well with what we have learned from Jesus
yesterday in the liturgical reading from the Gospel. It continues today.
We are led not only to admire the colorful expressions he gives us and the
attractive manner within the Sermon (it is a long one of three chapters).
We are also strengthened, challenged, and consoled as he moves on to new
themes within his preaching and teaching as a new Moses. We listen and
learn from his living voice so well expressed in his sermons in Matthew.
And what could be more relevant and personal to us as being told not to be
anxious about our life and what will happen to it tomorrow and the next
day. We are to rest in his presence and take one day at a time. The
'morrow never comes for some of us.
Trusting in God as a loving parent assures us that we will have the peace,
calm, and joy that is promised to us by Jesus. Be not anxious; do not
worrry, and be joyful and loving. These are the components of a healthy
life both natural and spiritual. We are integrated when we are not
worrisome and filled with that poweful German expression "Angst". God is
showing us Divine care and providential sollicitude for us in our daily
doings and opportunities. Jesus wants us to have the joy and peace of the
holy ones who even faced martyrdom for him. Yes, it is a great sermon, a
blueprint of life, and how to discern our priorities. It emphasizes God's
presence and concern as Parent and the great and magnanimous giver of
gifts. We, on our part, need to respond in the present with great hope,
confidence, and trust. We do this both as individuals and as members of
believing communities.
We know inwardly that it is best to take one day at a time and to face
tomorrow the same way when it comes. Living in the present and in the
Presence of God is key to being people of the beatitudes. This present
moment, hour, and day is the only one in which we have some type of
control. We are reminded again not to be filled with worry or anxiety. In
the Eucharist we have that excellent prayer that goes this way: "Deliver
us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day (notice the
present day) . In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all
anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus
Christ...for the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and
forever." Amen.
posted by Fr. Bert SM at 11:10 AM
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