What is a Beatitude?
Beatitude. defined as: supreme blessedness; exalted happiness.
This is what is about to preached to the crowd…, Supreme blessedness and exalted happiness. As the crowd gathers, they don’t know what to expect, but they are very excited and eager to hear whatever is about to be said.
So…, picture yourself sitting on this hillside, amongst the multitude gathered, waiting to listen to this preacher from Nazareth. His name, Jesus, and by the time he fives, what is now known as “The Sermon on the Mount”, had a reputation that had preceded Him. The people, who had come from many different places, had either heard Him speak before, perhaps they had witnessed one of the miracles He had performed, or…, heard from someone else that they needed to be there to see and hear Him.
The religious leaders of that time had also heard of this preacher named Jesus, and they did not like what they were hearing: Healing on the Sabbath, calling Himself the Son of Man, forgiving sins, being in the company of tax collectors, prostitutes’, sinners…, and the list went on. So…, as you look around, you notice not only Jews, but Samaritans and Gentiles, as well some Jewish leaders also make an appearance. They are taking notes, whispering to each other, hatching a plan to try and silence Him. But really, they are no real concern to you. You came to see and hear what the Rabbi is going to say, to see if the stories that have surrounded Him are true. You want to get as close as you can so you can hear every word that comes from his mouth.
As He comes out, the large crowd goes silent. He begins to speak. You are mesmerized and amazed that you can hear Him as clear as if he were having a personal conversation with you. Every word spoken…, clear. They were the most beautiful words you have ever hear. No one had ever said anything like that before. Never! Such conviction, such passion…, such Truth. St. Matthew captures one of the most life Changing sermons of all time, as prevalent today as it was 2000 years ago.
Today, I want to focus on the last section of the Beatitudes.
“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sage of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every ling of evil against you falsely because of me, Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”
I want to start here not to inform the other Beatitudes, but to focus on this last section, because it fits right into what is going on this very minute in our world, in our Church, and life in general. How many people do you know that fit into this category? Those who have been or are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness. The crime…, speaking the truth. The very truth that Jesus himself taught.
Many clergy, from Bishops all the way down to Deacons, Brother and sisters. Monastery’s being closed for being “traditional”. Priests removed from ministry for speaking the Truth from the pulpit. I personally know of some that have been removed for speaking out for the most vulnerable, the unborn. those who do not a have a voice yet. Speaking out against the most heinous act of Abortion!
One statement made by a priest, “Your can’t be a Democrat and be Catholic, you cannot support a candidate that is pro-abortion. This was enough for the bishop to remove him from active ministry and remove his faculties. What a sad situation…, when speaking the Truth of Jesus Christ can get you “cancelled”. Defending the dignity of marriage as one man and one woman. Defending Life, from conception to natural death.
“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.”
I also do not want to leave out the Laity who have also been put on the fringes for speaking the truth, their stories are many. the Scriptures tell us that the Truth is a two-edge sword, It cuts, and it cuts deep. It is the sharpest thing ever. It puts people on the edge, and it makes them uncomfortable. The reason id does is because it makes look at themselves in real time, and they don’t like it.
Jesus spoke the Truth to whomever He spoke, no matter what their station in life. he wanted them to know the Truth, and that Truth would literally, set them free.
Some walked away (The Rich Young Man) because they could not accept the Truth, they hold on to the temporal.
Some embraced it fully, (St. Paul), even if it meant a radical change in the current way they were living. No matter who you are, or where you come from, the Truth that is Jesus Christ, will always be the Truth. The same yesterday, today and forever!
I recently went to confession and voiced my concern about my current situation in the church and the cancel culture that has infested it and society. The priest, who sites in “Persona Christi” (the Person of Christ), gave me a very clear and concise statement, and I embraced it fully. He said to me, “The Truth my friend, is a very lonely place.” He wasn’t wrong.
The closer we are to the Cross, the smaller the crowd will be. That is the undeniable Truth! Not a bad place to be; imagine the company you will surround yourself with.
-Supreme blessedness; exalted happiness
Nil desperandum. (Do not despair)
Do not lose Hope my brothers and sisters. Hold on to the Truth who is Jesus Christ, for great is your reward in Heaven! Always pray for those who do not know the truth or refuse to accept it.
Pray for all those who have been “cancelled”, the Clergy and laity alike.
Continue to receive the Sacraments, fittingly and worthily.
We are called to be brave during the storm because true bravery is following Christ, in a world that hates Him!
Amen +
Here are a couple of passages to reflect on this week.
The sufferings of the present are as nothing compared with the Glory to be revealed in us. -Romans 8:18
Remember, if you are hanging on by a thread, make sure it’s the hem of His garment. -Matthew 9:21
