Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Fourth Sunday of the Year, A – Jan 29, 2017

Readings: Zep 2:3; 3:12-13; Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; 1st Cor 1:26-31; Gospel Mat 5:1-12A.

Theme: The Beatitudes as Imperative for Citizenship into God's Kingdom!

Beloved in Christ, today our gospel (Mat 5:1-12A) presents us with nine catchphrases, namely the Beatitudes otherwise known as the “Sermon on the Mount” which can best be described as moral imperatives or prerequisites for citizenship into God's kingdom.         

Also described as the manifesto of the kingdom Jesus came to establish, the Beatitudes paint the picture of the character desired for entrance into God's kingdom. It is hoped that by imbibing the values enshrined in the Beatitudes, we become "more meek, more merciful, more hungry for righteousness, [and] more apt to make peace" realisable in the world.                                       

Through the Beatitudes, Jesus portrays righteousness as the standard of his kingdom. In them we find ethical principles necessary for day to day living as Christians. While the Sermon on the Mount is directed to all, we must realise that Jesus first of all meant it for his disciples (the true or spiritual Israel) which was already present and beginning life in the kingdom and second, to the crowds (the future Israel), the Israel that is hoped for, who must repent in order to follow the king. The implication is that Jesus' Beatitudes were meant for everyone desirous of making the world a better place to live in.

We shall highlight the Sermon on the Mount while drawing lessons from the Catholic Social Teaching (CST) of the Church as well as some Religious and Ethical Principles that apply to the faith. Before that, it is pertinent to note that the Beatitudes reveal many aspects of the CST because it is through them that "Christ's Gospel responds positively to man's thirst for justice."

The Beatitudes are founded on the revolution of love established by Christ through his cross and resurrection - through them Christ offers a new horizon of justice unveiled by the Paschal Mystery which creates a New World Order in the light of CST. Friends in Christ, it is important to note that CST runs from Pope Leo’s XII’ Rerum Novarum in 1891, through Pope Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate. Through what is referred to as the development of doctrine and the signs of the time, the Church has sought to update and clarify the basic principles of SCT in the light of new socio-political, technological and economic realities.                                              

To be sure, on February 14, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI stated that: "Catholic social teachings are nothing less than the Beatitudes of the Gospel refined for action in the world. As such, the social doctrine is magisterial, and the laity have a serious obligation to put it into effect in their own lives, in society, their culture, and country..."                        

In like manner, Fr. John Bucki, S.J opines that "each of the Beatitudes may remind us of some aspect of Catholic Social Teaching; our preferential option for the poor; our special concern for anyone who is suffering; the profound dignity of every person irrespective of wealth or power; our hunger for justice in the world and in its institutions and structures; our concern for mercy and justice in our criminal justice system; our profound respect for life in all its forms; our care for the earth as a gift from God to be shared by all; our passion for non-violence and peace; our willingness to face opposition and to live by values different from those of our culture."                           

Writing on "The Magisterium and Catholic Social Teaching," C. J. Mccloskey III (2011) contends that "Catholic social teachings are nothing less than the Beatitudes of the gospel refined for action in the world. As such, the social doctrine is magisterial, and the laity have a serious obligation to put it into effect in their own lives, in society, their culture, and country, according to their conscience, which should be formed by the promulgated teaching of the Church and applied to the specific situations that they encounter" while stressing that "When in doubt, they should consult the bishop of their diocese, who is the best interpreter of the teaching of the Church."

He, however, adds that: "Catholics have to respect other opinions about the application of CST, as long as such opinions do not contradict the teachings and principles of the Church. We are bound to obey in those social issues that are strictly defined (abortion, marriage, pornography, contraception, etc.). However, in the great majority of social, political, and economic questions, the Church gives principles that allow the laity to apply them as best as they can, according to their understanding of the problem."        

What is more, we shall further highlight the Beatitudes based on Social, Religious and Ethical Principles:         
                   

1. Social Principles: The following Beatitudes: Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted; Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land and Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God belong to the social dimension of our lives. It behoves the laity as those charged with the responsibility of impregnating the world with Christian values to ensure that vulnerable people who are afflicted by social, economic and psychological factors are adequately taken care by various Governments, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other spirited individuals.

Since it belongs to the meek to inherit the land and peacemakers to be called sons of God, we are reminded that social and economic development can only be possible in an atmosphere of peace - peace can only come about where there is justice and like someone has said, "Justice without mercy is vengeance." Only when we breed refined Christians who seek after meekness and peace and are desirous of making heaven can the Beatitudes be said to make meaning for a broken world.      
                                             

2. Religious Principles: There is a portion of the Sermon on the Mount which belongs to the religious dimension of life. These are: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy; Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. These call us to be detached from materialism, to demonstrate acts of mercy in our various homes, places of work and communities and to happily endure persecution for the sake of the Lord. It is only when we rely on Jesus can we be able to achieve this feat.   

3. Ethical Principles: All religions of the world have ethical principles. Perhaps it is reason why Jesus did not waste time in laying out the ethical parameters of belonging to the New Israel. By saying, Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied and Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God, he wanted Christians to understand that holiness comes from within - This means that we must blend our purity of intentions with our exterior disposition to be better positioned for service of God and humanity.

It, however, requires humility to achieve that. This is where the message of the first reading from the prophet Zephaniah (Zep 2:3; 3:12-13) comes in powerfully. It calls us to “seek justice and humility.” It is these two virtues that can make us stand tall as citizens of the kingdom. Little wonder, St. Paul in the second reading (1st Cor 1:26-31) says, we should not boast before God noting that he calls the weak to shame the strong.

He reminds us to seriously reconsider our calling as Christians so as to realise how God favoured us to be called and chosen despite our sins. This, gratuitousness, for St. Paul remains the criteria for citizenship into God’s kingdom not our being wise, powerful or of noble birth by human standards. May God help us to live out the Beatitudes in humility as true citizens of his kingdom. Amen!