Today’s Gospel Story (Matthew 5:1-12a) is part of the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes. To over-simplify, the majority report sees this as a summary of Jesus’ teachings, as well as Jesus telling his disciples, and us who would be his followers, how they are to live. They are not suggestions. They are how Jesus lived. As usual, the minority report is as personal as I let it.
The Alleluia Verse offers some insight as we prepare to read or hear this passage: “Alleluia. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.” From the perspective of the minority report we might ask what it means to labor and be burdened. We “process” this gospel passage through the filter of what is going on in and around us as we hear or read it. Our world is in turmoil. The violent polarization surrounding this week’s elections is disturbing to say the least, as is the suffering caused by government programs and enforcement, especially in the areas of immigration, which fly in the face of the Beatitudes. There is also the perversion of religion for political purposes. That we believe the Beatitudes and try to live them in our own life is truly a form of labor. Our burden might be what we feel when we simply try to do what is right, live the Beatitudes as best we can, and have to deal with the unpleasantries of others who do not agree with us. It is easier to point out what we see as the failures of others who do not see the social implications of the Beatitudes or the Sermon on the Mount when it comes to how we treat immigrants, the unhoused, war in Iran, Gaza, and so many other places throughout the world, than it is to look at my own every day living which is a danger we face.
On the more personal level, the Beatitudes might lead me to question some of my life choices. ls there anything in my everyday lifestyle that would cause others to mourn and look for comfort? Am I doing anything at all that would cause others to hunger and thirst for righteousness? In instances of great differences of opinion, which these days are dividing families, friends, and others, am I willing to ask the grace of being Abba’s compassion and peace? This does not mean I have to change my opinions just to keep peace. It may mean asking the grace just to keep my mouth shut. As I try to follow and imitate you, it seems you are both my burden and my strength. You offer me both an invitation to follow you, and the strength to do it. You don’t make it easy, but you do make it possible. I ask the grace of knowing you as you are in my life, simply saying my “yes” to what is, and going where you take me.
Where I live I am fortunate to have kids my own age to play with. Together we’re coming to accept and deal with the challenges of being seniors, and we support each other, often with a sense of humor that must seem strange to outsiders. I consider every person here a gift to me, and I hope to be the same to them. We learn to accept every day as it is, and be as supportive as we can for each other. We are all doing our best to keep the nastiness around us from getting in among us. In our own ways we are helping each other accept every day as it is, often with a good dose of humor. At times we are peacemakers, maybe moving toward being poor in spirit, even meek, definitely caring, but not wanting to be pushed around. Just now, one of my neighbors down the hall gave me some delicious home made bakery. Life is like that here.
In the Psalm we pray, “Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face”. We do in our own way and various words, want to see Abba’s face. Our friends and neighbors make this journey on a regular basis. In general, and as a community, we are fairly comfortable and supportive about the next step on our journey, at times a bit humorously. All Saints, the feast we celebrate today, reminds us of those of have gone before us, especially our friends and neighbors with whom we have shared walking the halls, eating, just being together. No doubt there have been and are saints among us.
Merton: “Gratitude takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder”. Abba is happening all around us all the time. Being grateful for what is, is a way of living every day that leads us to be aware of the goodness all around us, often through us, even in us. We are the people that longs to see your face, and you are showing your face to us every day as we walk through the halls, share a meal, even complain about what we don’t like. Just sayin . . .