Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time A

[cappie]

In this liturgical year, Year A, we focus on readings from Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew writes towards the end of the first century AD, for a Christian community comprised of Jewish converts. In his gospel, he strives to demonstrate for them how Jesus is the fulfilment of the faith, hopes and promises of their Jewish faith, the fulfilment of all that is in “the law and the prophets” (Mt 5:17).

In our current climate—with its nearly a total lack of humility—where so many live on the edge of economic poverty, and where the struggle just to live day-to-day makes it almost impossible to find time for deeds of loving kindness and acts of justice on behalf of others  the Prophets challenge us again to see that the entry requirements to worship hinge entirely on how we live the other six days of the week.

Is it any wonder, then, that the Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians that, to the rest of the world, the kind of sacrifice and compassion symbolized by the Cross looks like weakness and foolishness. He bemoans how many in the Corinth community of Christ have adopted the boastful—and even discriminatory— behaviours of the world around them, apparently feeling that their gifts of the Spirit have freed them from needing to be compassionate and just to one another, let alone to those beyond the worshipping community.  

We would do well to note that the Prophet Isaiah imagines this reform of God’s covenant people—a people who have become too self-reliant and self-impressed—is necessary “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honour me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men learned by rote.” They honour me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me.

Paul’s has a prescription for this same situation in Corinth  “ Take yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: 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; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but  you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.

This teaching brings us to the opening verses of The Sermon on the Mount, that portion we call the Beatitudes, or Blessings. These Blessings appear to be more a statement of fact than aspiration, each beginning, “Happ are…” Jesus lifts up those who are already peacemakers, already pure in heart, who already hungry and thirsty for righteousness, compassion, and justice, and already mourn for the conditions of this world that hold certain classes of people within systems of injustice and oppression. Meek does not mean “weak,” but rather patient, humble, teachable, trusting God, and showing gentleness in actions. Jesus recognizes that the world is filled with those people who demonstrate for the rest of us what it means to do justice, perform deeds of loving kindness, and to walk humbly with our God!

Taken together, today’s lessons ask us to imagine that we can live lives that manifest the light, life, and love of Christ—beyond our Sunday mornings together. 

Christ was born that we might be one in unity with the God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. God wants us to shine the light and life of Christ in all that we do and say, with and for others. Only then might we become true reflections of the God who is just, compassionate, and who—in all humility—became one of us. 

The list of Beatitudes is not like the list of the Ten Commandments, a definitive list of commands (Thou shalt not . . .). Rather, they are commendations for a way of living, of being in the world, of caring for others, especially the sick, powerless, poor and afflicted. 

Our readings challenges us to reflect on our attitudes and values in the light of Jesus’ teaching and his compassion for all those in need of healing.