REFLECTIONS: FR. JUDE'S -- FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

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25-1-05

Dear Friend,
In worldly wisdom those people are considered fortunate who are well off,
who can have whatever they want whenever they want; those who can live it
up, who have the upper hand and can reach the top by any means. These values
are the subject matter of novels and are promoted by the advertisements that
bombard us. Yet they are the opposite of the values that believers should
adopt in their lives. May His beatitudes challenge our attitudes. Have a
soul-searching weekend! -Fr. Jude

Sunday Reflections: Fourth Sunday of the Year Blessed are those who rely on
God 9-1-05
Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3: 12-13: 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31 Matthew 5: 1-12

The first reading from Zephaniah speaks of the Day of Yahweh, when God will
intervene directly in the life of Israel. Zephaniah advises the people to
seek God in humility and lowliness. These are necessary conditions to find
God for he rejects falsehood and the proud-hearted, who believe that they
can manage on their own and don't need him. The Israelite nation had
suffered decades of oppression under the Assyrian rule, the prophet now
announces the arrival of salvation and liberation of the little ones who
have suffered under foreign rule. This 'Day of Yahweh' is a time of
effective action by God on behalf of his people. God is close to those who
are humble and depend on him.
Meekness is not weakness
St. Clement Hofbauer of Vienna was collecting funds for orphans whose parents
had died in the Napoleonic wars. He walked into a restaurant where three men
were playing cards and asked them for a contribution for his good work. One
of the cursed him and spat on his face. Hofbauer quietly took out his
handkerchief wiped the spit from his cheek and said without the slightest
sign of anger, "Now that was for me, sir. How about something for my
orphans?" The abusive card player was so dumbfounded that he reached into
his pocket and handed the saint all the money he had with him.
Msgr. Arthur Tonne
In the second reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians,
Paul is aware of the diverse groups in Corinth who boast of their superior
origins and ways of living the Christian life. Paul speaks bluntly to them
and points out that none of them have grounds for boasting as none of them
really come from noble stock. The Christian has only one basis for trust and
hope and that is Jesus who died and rose again. In comparison with the Lord
of life all divisions and privileges are insignificant. Unfortunately, even
today, while claiming to follow Jesus Christ, people boast of being superior
to others on the basis of race, colour, caste, class, education, social
standing, all insignificant factors in matters of faith. "As Scripture says,
if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord."

Today's gospel portrays Jesus as an authoritative teacher, who solemnly
announces the fundamentals of life in the Kingdom of Heaven. The disciples
are the primary target audience of the Sermon on the Mount but the
principles are addressed beyond the immediate circle of disciples to the
crowds of followers. The principles are universal. They are delivered on the
mountain, the favoured place among the Israelites for encountering God. The
sermon on the mount contains the essence of Christ's teachings and the
beatitudes are the essence of that essence. In the beatitudes Jesus presents
a new vision of the Kingdom and invites his followers to live that vision.

A new vision for new life
A native American chief who was nearing the end of his life gathered his
three sons and told them, "Do you see that mountain in the distance? I want
you to journey to that mountain, climb to its summit and bring back the
thing you think will be most helpful in leading our people." After several
days the first son returned with a load of flint stones, used to make arrow
tips and spear points. He told his father, "Our people will never live in
fear of their enemies. I know where there is a mount of flint." The second
son climbed the top of the mountain and found forests rich with wood for
making fires. When he returned he said to his father, "Our people will never
be cold in winter. I know where wood can be found in abundance to keep them
warm and cook their food." The third son returned late and empty handed. He
stated "When I got to the top of the mountain I found nothing worth bringing
back. I searched everywhere, but the top of the mountain was barren rock and
useless. Then I looked towards the horizon, far into the distance. I was
astonished to see new land filled with forests and meadows, mountains and
valleys, fish and animals - a land of great beauty and great peace. I
brought nothing back, for the land was still far off and I didn't have time
to travel there. But I would love to go there someday; I delayed coming back
because I found it very difficult to return after seeing the beauty of the
land." The old chief's eyes blazed. He grasped this third son in his arms
proclaiming that he would succeed him as the new chief. He thought to
himself, "The other sons brought back worthy things, necessary things. But
my third son knows the way to a better land. It is important that the new
chief has a vision and has seen the promised land and burns with a desire
for it."
Brian Cavanaugh in 'Sower's Seeds of Encouragement'
In the beatitudes it is not starvation and misery that are being blessed-
these are evil things. What is being blessed is reliance on God. Those who
know their need of God, and live life as He would have them live it, are
truly blessed. They are the most fortunate of all people, for God will give
them all that they need. Only God can fulfill our emptiness. We like to
believe that we can manage our lives, that we are self sufficient, that we
can make it on our own. Those who put their trust in human resources will be
disappointed but those who trust in God will never be disappointed. Men and
women of all ages have drawn inspiration from the Sermon on the Mount.
Mahatma Gandhi drew strength and inspiration from the Beatitudes for his
concept of non-violence. Martin Luther King was convinced that his struggle
on behalf of the poor and the oppressed would succeed only if it was based
on justice, love and forgiveness, proclaimed in the Beatitudes.

All the eight beatitudes have a second line that deals with relationship
with God. The first and the last pledge the Kingdom in the present to those
who are poor and persecuted, while the inner six look to a final completion
of God's work for the mourning and others in the future. These beatitudes
form a summary of the Christian life. We are blessed by God when we depend
on him and when we strive single mindedly for justice and are willing to
endure for one's fidelity. There is a present and a future dimension to the
kingdom. The poor in spirit are not merely those who find themselves in
poverty but those who know they depend on God for everything and are nothing
without Him. They are those who joyfully acknowledge their dependence on his
goodness and mercy. The beatitudes are a challenge to focus our lives not on
our achievements and ourselves but on God alone. A challenge to live more
for God.
And then some
A successful businessman once was asked the secret of success. His reply
summed success in three words: AND THEN SOME. He learned early in life that
the difference between average people and truly successful people could be
simply stated in those three words. Top people did what was expected and
then some! Jesus taught the and then some principle in the Sermon on the
Mount. He is saying: Go beyond what is expected! Go a little further! Let
these words serve as a tonic for your spirit. Practice your faith
faithfully -and then some. Give generously of your time and resources- and
then some. Greet those you meet with a smile - and then some. Meet your
obligations; be dependable -and then some. Do your best in all things and at
all times -and then some.
Clarence DeLoach Jr.
May the Beatitudes be our attitudes-and then some!

Fr. Jude Botelho
jude@netforlife.plus.com

PS. The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been
collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and
from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever
possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you
could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in
these reflections. These reflections are also available on my website:
www.netforlife.net Thank you!