4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Fr. Francis)
We all seek a blessed life. Presumably a blessed life is a happy life.
But what really is a blessed life? Does it mean being materially rich, influential and successful in the world? Or does it mean having a beautiful home, a loving family and a meaningful career and life-style?
So whilst all might agree that we want a blessed life, the way we see a life as blessed might differ.
Basically, there are two approaches to life, which the scripture readings present to us. One is the way of the world and the other is the way of Christ. This is expressed by St Paul when he asked the Corinthians, “how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families?
No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning.”
The way to life according to the world can be summarized in one word, power; this power can be obtained first and foremost by acquiring knowledge because knowledge is power. Power can also be acquired through wealth and status…. leading to hatred, jealousy, selfishness etc.. thus brings unhappiness in the world.
In place of worldly power, today, the scripture readings offer us the way of God. What is this way? Prophet Zephaniah sums up the way to a blessed life in three pillars, namely, “Seek the Lord, seek integrity and seek humility.” But what does it mean to seek the Lord? To seek God is to seek His wisdom.
Jesus teaches us that if we live according to the Beatitudes, we will live a happy Christian life. The Beatitudes inspire us to adopt a certain mindset or vision for our lives, namely, the vision of Jesus Christ. The beatitudes challenge us to be people of virtue. Virtue is a firm attitude, mindset or disposition to do good. For the virtuous person, doing good is a habit. Through beatitudes Jesus calls us to change our vision and learn that in order to be happy (blessed), we must be peace-loving, merciful, clean of heart and meek.
It seems, once a man said to Lord Buddha, “I want happiness” in reply Buddha said, first remove “I” that’s ego then remove “want” that’s desire, see now you are left with only happiness.
Pope Francis says in order to be happy we need to follow the beatitudes – the path to new life. We should not move into the path of greed, vanity and egoism.
Jesus is the man of beatitudes. He practiced all these beatitudes in his life as human person. As disciples of Jesus we are called to imitate him and follow these beatitudes in our lives too and thus attain true happiness.
So what are some ways that we can develop the Beatitudes in our lives?
First, we can rest assured that the Holy Spirit is already at work within us, drawing us toward God and inspiring our desire to be a Beatitudes-type of person.
Second, like anything we hope to develop in ourselves, we must be open, learn, and study. Pay attention to the people you know who model a particular beatitude. Think of ways you can model their behavior in your own life.
Finally, talk with God in prayer. Ask him to help you out and to teach you how to develop the Beatitudes in your mind, heart and actions.
The final question remains and which we have to answer honestly for ourselves. Why is it as Thomas Kempis in his book the Imitation of Christ, Bk 3,3 asked, that “many listen more willingly to the world than to God, and are readier to follow the desires of their flesh than God’s good pleasure? The world promises things temporal and of small value and is served with great eagerness”; but God promises “things most excellent and everlasting, and yet men’s hearts remain sluggish”; “for an unchangeable good, for an inestimable reward, for the highest honor and never-ending glory”, we are “loath to undergo even a little fatigue.” “Blush, then, slothful and querulous servant …” he said, that we “are actually more ready to labor for death” than for life; to rejoice more in vanity than the truth! Let us reflect.
Let us ask the Lord to give us courage and wisdom to be men and women of Beatitudes! Amen.
Fr. A. Francis HGN