Sermon - 2014-11-02
Today, we hear a very familiar passage that is typically known as “The Sermon on the Mount.” This is one of the greatest sermons that has ever been delivered. It is also coming from the greatest preacher ever, Jesus. To truly appreciate all that is said here in this sermon, we should really understand this and dwell upon each of the phrases that Jesus shares with the people. As with every sermon, the words, phrases, and thoughts are carefully thought through. The person who delivers them is hoping to help the people who are listening understand and experience God within their daily life.
Let's look at the very core of the message that Jesus shares with the people. When Jesus says, “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, one can quickly think that the people are weak in their faith. Jesus is speaking of the humble spirit. A person who does not focus upon their own desires, their own status, but is instead focused upon God. One who has faith that God will be leading and guiding them with His Holy Spirit. That God will indeed love them no matter what.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Today, we understand this line all to well. Remembering the saints who have gone before us, we begin to mourn. For the death of a loved one is truly something that causes us pain because we feel that we will not see them again. We remember all the lessons that they taught us, the memories that we shared together, and above all the love that we shared with them. While Jesus lived, he mourned. He wept for Lazarus. He wept over Jerusalem. He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He knows our suffering and our grief to comfort us.
5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” When Jesus is referring to the meek, he is referring to those who do not fill their life with possessions. Those who do not regard their life as better as someone else's next to them. This person is caring for the person next to them like their neighbor. They are a person wondering what can they do with what God has given to them for the betterment of those around them.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
All of these qualities that Jesus lists, are not a laundry list of qualities that we should strive for. Rather, they are characteristics of a person of faith. Other people notice them within you. As you live your life of faith, as you live out your Baptismal promise that God has given to you and you have received. This is the life that others within the faith will regard you as living out your faith. This is the living out your life to share the light that God has given to you to glorify your Father in Heaven.
Today, we remember the faith that others have shared with us. The faith others have encouraged in us. The faith that we share with others. Go live being surrounded in God’s love by the community that is gathered here today. Go, follow in the path that the loved ones before us have prepared. We shall continue until the day when God gathers us all into His Presence. Amen.
Let's look at the very core of the message that Jesus shares with the people. When Jesus says, “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, one can quickly think that the people are weak in their faith. Jesus is speaking of the humble spirit. A person who does not focus upon their own desires, their own status, but is instead focused upon God. One who has faith that God will be leading and guiding them with His Holy Spirit. That God will indeed love them no matter what.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Today, we understand this line all to well. Remembering the saints who have gone before us, we begin to mourn. For the death of a loved one is truly something that causes us pain because we feel that we will not see them again. We remember all the lessons that they taught us, the memories that we shared together, and above all the love that we shared with them. While Jesus lived, he mourned. He wept for Lazarus. He wept over Jerusalem. He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He knows our suffering and our grief to comfort us.
5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” When Jesus is referring to the meek, he is referring to those who do not fill their life with possessions. Those who do not regard their life as better as someone else's next to them. This person is caring for the person next to them like their neighbor. They are a person wondering what can they do with what God has given to them for the betterment of those around them.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
All of these qualities that Jesus lists, are not a laundry list of qualities that we should strive for. Rather, they are characteristics of a person of faith. Other people notice them within you. As you live your life of faith, as you live out your Baptismal promise that God has given to you and you have received. This is the life that others within the faith will regard you as living out your faith. This is the living out your life to share the light that God has given to you to glorify your Father in Heaven.
Today, we remember the faith that others have shared with us. The faith others have encouraged in us. The faith that we share with others. Go live being surrounded in God’s love by the community that is gathered here today. Go, follow in the path that the loved ones before us have prepared. We shall continue until the day when God gathers us all into His Presence. Amen.
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