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."