Happy July 4th weekend!
On July 4, 1776 the following stirring statement was read for the first time in Philadelphia:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
No American document has had a greater impact on the world. As we celebrate the Declaration of Independence on Tuesday, let us thank God for our blessings.
Philadelphia brings to mind a story about Archbishop Fulton Sheen. He was scheduled to speak at Philadelphia’s Town Hall and decided to walk from his hotel. And he got lost. He asked some teenagers for directions, which they gave him. One asked, “What are you doing at the Town Hall?’ Sheen responded, “I’m giving a lecture on how to get to heaven. Do you want to come along?” The teen replied, “Are you kidding? You don’t even know how to get to the Town Hall.” So much for directions.
The word of God takes us to the ninth century before Jesus, to a “holy man” named Elisha. A woman welcomes him to dine. She and her husband create a rooftop bedroom so that Elisha can stay there whenever he visits.
Discovering that the woman yearns for family, Elisha promises God will bless her with a child. Lo and behold, she later has a son. This invites us to be hospitable to one another; and to trust in God’s care for us as we journey through life.
St. Paul’s letter describes how we have the triune life of God in us through baptism. Early Christian candidates “buried” themselves in water, a gesture symbolizing dying to a self-centered life; and then came up from the water, symbolizing a rising to a God-centered life.
Paul challenges us to remember we are new creatures by virtue of our baptism, sons and daughters of God our Father, called to live a God-like life.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to get our priorities straight. Our first priority: to live in relationship with God. And as well as to see the face of God in our fellow human beings, no matter how hidden that presence might seem.
Jesus here calls us to a life of discipleship. Not tomorrow, but today! Then we will experience what life and freedom and happiness are all about.
One author wrote that to be happy is to:
forgive and apologize (we all make mistakes) but we have to move on;
listen for good advice;
keep our temper;
share the blame;
make the best out of every situation (things seldom go perfectly).
Happiness has to factor these into every dimension of life: work with its stresses; relationships with their tensions; disappointments versus dreams; guilt about what one did or didn’t do; health or the lack thereof. And ultimately happiness has to factor into death.
Bishop Robert Barron, of “Word on Fire,” cites NBA pro Michael Jordan as an example of someone who became happiest not by playing any way he wanted, but by mastering the basics.
So too we have to master the basics of discipleship with Jesus. At one point in his earthly ministry, many followers left Jesus. He then turned to his inner circle and asked, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter replied, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
I suggest we find the basics in the Beatitudes, Mt.5-7 Trying as best we can to live them, with God’s grace, we will become the best version of our selves.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes the moral character we should have.
First, disciples recognize that only God can fill their emptiness!!! That’s what it means to be poor in spirit. We needn’t try to fill ourselves with earthly things.
Disciples recognize who they are: creatures whom an awesome Creator gifted with life. We realize our good fortune and we owe this awesome God honor and praise.
Disciples yearn for healing and know only God can heal us. They are gentle, considerate and unassuming.
Yes, disciples hunger above all for a right relationship with God.
The next beatitudes or attitudes have to do with our relationships with one another!
Fortunate are they who forgive wrongs done to them, who let go of resentment. God will be merciful. They realize they themselves need God’s mercy.
Fortunate are the pure in heart, who have integrity, authenticity in their relationships; they will see God face to face.
Fortunate are they who are ready to suffer rather than betray their conscience. The 20th century American 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 transparency in our relationships.
And finally, blessed are they who don’t stir up conflict but try to be at peace with God, with themselves, and with others.
I pray God will grace us to live the Beatitudes, so that we become the best version of ourselves, true disciples of the Master, always in a right relationship with God and each other. Amen!!!
