How many have been watching the Tampa Bay Rays and the Lightning? They are having a great season. The Rays are in first place; and the lightning won Friday night.
What wisdom does the Word of God bring to us? The wisdom literature of ancient Israel reflects on life and death -- mortality or perishability, and immortality or imperishability. God created us in his own image and likeness; and we possess the spark of the divine within us. Yes, we have been created to have a relationship with God and one another forever.
Do we live in light of this eternal purpose?
Paul in his letter urges the Christian community in Corinth, Greece to be generous in a collection for the poor in Jerusalem. And why should they be generous? Because Jesus Christ is the model of generosity. The eternal Word became poor in Jesus so that we could become spiritually rich with God’s life.
In the Gospel according to Mark, we are inspired by the faith of two people in the power of Jesus to heal.
One is a woman who has been ill for 12 years. She'd gotten sicker and sicker. In fear and trembling but with extraordinary faith, she touches the cloak of Jesus and is healed.
Another person, a Jewish official, begs Jesus to come to his house and heal his dying daughter. And when Jesus arrives, he takes the little girl by the hand and heals her. These two people had an attitude of confidence.
Imagine the joy of the people who experience the healing power of Jesus! As Jesus tells us: “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
In light of these two Gospel miracles, I would like to reflect on joy and happiness.
Many think that if they get enough money, fame, or power or pleasure, they’ll be happy. But if so, explain how Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and other celebrities who “had it all” sedated themselves with drugs.
Happiness has to factor into the stuff of life: work with its stresses; relationships with their tensions; disappointments with their dreams; guilt about what one did or didn’t do; health or the lack thereof; and ultimately death.
To be happy, we need to master the basics of discipleship.
First, at one point, many followers left Jesus. Jesus then turned to his inner circle and asked, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter replied, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
So, what sort of people should we become? Jesus answers the question in the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount. The beatitudes are our Christian identity card. Yes, the beatitudes describe our attitudes. The first four steps focus on our relationship with God. The next four, our relationships with one another.
Disciples of Jesus recognize that only God can fill their emptiness. That’s what it means to be poor in spirit. We are fragile creatures whom an awesome Creator gifted with life. God didn’t have to create us. Disciples realize their fortune to be alive and are grateful to God for that life, and they owe God praise and glory and honor. Disciples beg for healing and salvation and know only God can heal and gift them with eternal life. They are gentle, considerate and unassuming. Disciples, above all, hunger for a right relationship with God.The next four beatitudes or attitudes describe our relationships with one another. Fortunate are they who forgive wrongs done to them and let go of their anger and resentment. God will be merciful to them ... they realize how much they themselves need God’s mercy.
Fortunate are they who are pure in heart, who have integrity, openness, and authenticity in their relationships with others; they will see God face to face. The 20th century literary critic H. L. Mencken described conscience as the “inner voice which warns us that someone may be looking.” That’s a good guide for all of us.
Fortunate are they who try to be at peace with themselves, with others, and with God. And fortunate are they who are ready to suffer rather than betray their conscience, who try to do the right thing in all decisions, small and great, that affect work, career, family, relationships, life.
Applying the Be Attitudes to the examples in today's readings, I pray that we follow Jesus's advice: “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” That we strive to become our best selves, and to live in grateful happiness forever.
