November 1, 2024
Lectionary Readings: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps. 23:1-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3 and Mt 5:1-12a
Theme: The Beatitudes and call for holiness
The gospel reading for the Solemnity of All Saints tells us about the beatitudes which according to Pope Francis would lead us on the road we should walk to become saints. The Beatitudes “show us the path that leads to the Kingdom of God and to happiness: the path of humility, compassion, meekness, justice and peace,” the Holy Father said during a special Angelus address on November 2, 2021.
Matthew’s series of beatitudes starts with the word “Blessed are” from the Greek makarioi (“Blessed are”) that translates the Hebrew ashrei, which means “fortunate” or “blessed.” Each beatitude states that the possessor of this characteristic will be blessed. Scholars say a beatitude is a literary form belonging to the Wisdom tradition in the Hebrew Scriptures which aims to teach. Matthew’s beatitudes is the first part of Sermon on the Mount which is a compendium of Jesus’ teachings. According to Matthew Jesus placed before Israel his teachings with the message that he came not to abolish the law and the Prophets but to fulfill them. Harrington (2007) says that in it “Jesus presents what for Christians is an authoritative interpretation of the Torah.”
The beatitudes echo the Hebrew Scriptures as they allude to poor in spirit and the mourners (Isa 61:1-3), the meek (Ps 37:11), those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Ps 107:5, 8-9). They can be said to follow the formula: “Blessed” + “for” with the “for” part stating the blessing or the reward which scholars say are for the future (or eschatological); the wisdom beatitudes assume that the reward is already present.
In the first beatitude (“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven…”) someone is not blessed simply because he or she is poor but because he or she is in is in the privileged condition of receiving the kingdom of heaven. The first beatitude and the eighth beatitude (“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”) give a sort of the framing of the kingdom of God (God’s reign or sovereignty) as the ultimate and underlying reward. The other rewards are gifts to mourners, the hungry and those who thirst for righteousness, merciful, clean of heart and the persecuted.
The behavior Jesus is advocating is at odds with what is often sought in today’s world. Success for example is often measured in terms of riches, material possessions and power. But the beatitudes say that the reign of God will be in the hands of the poor in spirit, the meek (the powerless) and the persecuted.
For Christians today, the beatitudes can be the guideposts to be holy and to be worthy to receive full rewards when God’s kingdom comes. During the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1, 2023, Pope Francis spoke about the “call to holiness” and how it is both a gift from God and a journey to be made together with our brothers and sisters and all the Saints who are companions along the way. We need prayers, as it is a gift that will not be easy to keep.
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. What are ways to be holy in our day-to-day life? 2. What are challenges you have to face in your efforts to be holy? 3. Who is your favorite saint and why is he/she your favorite?
Bibliography: Harrington, Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Matthew (Minnesota, 2007); Basser and Cohen, The Gospel of Matthew and Judaic Traditions Boston, 2015); https://vatican.va
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Minerva Generalao, Philippines, Bat Kol Alumna, July 2014 and July 2023
[Copyright © 2024]
Comments are closed