The Beatitudes we read in today’s Gospel are different from those we usually think about while discussing Beatitudes. We know much better the list of the Eight passed to us by the Evangelist St Matthew. However, there are more differences between the two passages than just their number. Let us look at both and see what the Lord wants us to learn from this teaching.
Firstly, in the Matthew version, the Beatitudes are proclaimed by Jesus as a part of a larger discourse, the Sermon on the Mount – the central theological teaching of the Lord presented in Matthew’s Gospel. In Luke’s account, the speech seems to be more spontaneous, in a flat place; perhaps it responded to Jesus’ followers’ current needs.
Secondly, in today’s passage, we see not only a proclamation of the blessedness of some people but also “warnings” or “curses.” Even though we see the double form of the Beatitudes presented by Luke, the message in both evangelical descriptions is very similar.
There is a tendency to read the Beatitudes as Christ’s social manifest. Indeed, one can see in Jesus’ words a message of consolation for those in need and whose social situation was complicated. Nevertheless, it is not enough to say that Jesus does a consoling job of bringing hope to people just to let them see a possibility of a better future as members of society. From the perspective of time, we know that their lives did not become easier after Jesus’ death.
What is the true happiness of those who are meant to be happy even though they are in difficulties now? Their blessing is that their struggle becomes the very place God can intervene. In his book on the Beatitudes (in Matthew’s version), Jacques Philippe calls them “The Eight Doors to the Kingdom.” Indeed, those who are hungry, persecuted, etc., need consolation – and their support shall come from God Himself. For those whose perspective is earthly only, the extraordinary grace of God is not so necessary because sometimes they are not even mindful of their true need. Or, though conscious of the need, their primary focus is only on human consolation.
Jesus wants us to answer a few questions today: who satisfies me? Do I look for consolation and help from the Lord, like the crowds listening to Him? Do I, allow God to intervene in my life? Let us enable God to open “the doors of the Kingdom” to spread His grace on us – the grace that lasts.
Łukasz Gołąb – Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Sydney, Australia
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