This Sunday's sermonette is given by The Rev. Jason Tardiff. Father Jason is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Texas and the Co-Director of the Benedictine House of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Fort Worth. He is also the National Treasurer of the Benedictine Order of St. Michael the Archangel. Jason is also a board member of Integrity Fort Worth.
The Gospel for this Sunday is one of my favorite lessons from the Bible. It is a set of axioms that some could say ironic but in truth show God's love for everybody. Of the Scriptures, the Beatitudes are most oft quoted and familiar to people.
In preparation for giving my thoughts on today’s readings, I came across an anecdote about Gandhi and the Beatitudes. It goes like this: one day a Christian missionary gave Gandhi, a book that contained the Gospels. Of course, the Indian leader took great interest in the knowledge that was contained in the book. It was also his first exposure to Christianity. He became convinced that the principles taught by Jesus could resolve all of the problems of his country. Gandhi travelled widely through Christian countries but was dismayed. The Gospels were wonderful but he did not see anyone living their teaching and as such he never converted to Christianity. Gandhi, however, applied what he learned in the Gospels to his life, and in my most humble opinion he would be considered an exemplary Christian.
Gandhi considered the Beatitudes the greatest guide to living a non-violent life. The story further goes, whether true or not, he carried a copy of the Beatitudes with him. Why are the Beatitudes so important? What makes them a good guide for Christians? What made them so special that a man, a non-Christian, would carry them with him?
Two words: hope and peace, though on first reading they seem to be a contradiction. Let's take the first one for instance. "Blessed are the poor..." Generally it is accepted that the rich, are better, they get first dibs on most things. But the Matthew 5:3 states is the poor that will get the heavenly reward. Why? Well if you remember the story of the rich man that approached Jesus and asked how to get to heaven. Jesus said to leave his earthly gains behind and follow him. The rich man could not retreat from the material world and Jesus in turn said that it was easier to “get a camel through the eye of a needle than a rich man into heaven". Being tied too much to things and material desires prevents you from seeing the work and glory that God has set for you. Though here is the hope for the poor and the peace of heart not to worry about having not, because God has provided.
The Third Beatitude, “Blessed are the meek..." and "Blessed are the peacemakers..." excellent examples of peace. Those who choose a peaceful path, a Godly path will be the ones left. Those who choose violence and hate will wear themselves out or in violence’s case kill themselves off. God told us to love one another and that cannot be done at the end of the sword. Those who seek peace seek it out of love and care of their fellow man and because they have hope. Hope in a better world and peaceful way of life.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..." you can tie this into the sixth and eighth beatitude. Anybody who feels despair when they see the death in the world, the war in Iraq, the human rights violations knows that God has inspired those pure of heart to seek help for those harmed by atrocities. There is also hope in the last beatitude those persecuted, in attempting to right the worlds wrongs are.
The Beatitudes give us a glimpse at how God see us. How God love’s us? He will raise up those who are in dire straights those that need God the most. All in all, one thing that Ghandhi taught us and that is a message hidden in the Beatitudes and in the Bible is to be humble and have hope. Don’t be arrogant and prideful. Fill your heart with love and don’t be resentful. You don’t have to have riches or be the strongest to share in the glory of God and the treasures of heaven. Just realize you need to put away the material and visceral parts of life and pick up the spiritual and moral guidance that God offers .
The Gospel for this Sunday is one of my favorite lessons from the Bible. It is a set of axioms that some could say ironic but in truth show God's love for everybody. Of the Scriptures, the Beatitudes are most oft quoted and familiar to people.In preparation for giving my thoughts on today’s readings, I came across an anecdote about Gandhi and the Beatitudes. It goes like this: one day a Christian missionary gave Gandhi, a book that contained the Gospels. Of course, the Indian leader took great interest in the knowledge that was contained in the book. It was also his first exposure to Christianity. He became convinced that the principles taught by Jesus could resolve all of the problems of his country. Gandhi travelled widely through Christian countries but was dismayed. The Gospels were wonderful but he did not see anyone living their teaching and as such he never converted to Christianity. Gandhi, however, applied what he learned in the Gospels to his life, and in my most humble opinion he would be considered an exemplary Christian.
Gandhi considered the Beatitudes the greatest guide to living a non-violent life. The story further goes, whether true or not, he carried a copy of the Beatitudes with him. Why are the Beatitudes so important? What makes them a good guide for Christians? What made them so special that a man, a non-Christian, would carry them with him?
Two words: hope and peace, though on first reading they seem to be a contradiction. Let's take the first one for instance. "Blessed are the poor..." Generally it is accepted that the rich, are better, they get first dibs on most things. But the Matthew 5:3 states is the poor that will get the heavenly reward. Why? Well if you remember the story of the rich man that approached Jesus and asked how to get to heaven. Jesus said to leave his earthly gains behind and follow him. The rich man could not retreat from the material world and Jesus in turn said that it was easier to “get a camel through the eye of a needle than a rich man into heaven". Being tied too much to things and material desires prevents you from seeing the work and glory that God has set for you. Though here is the hope for the poor and the peace of heart not to worry about having not, because God has provided.
The Third Beatitude, “Blessed are the meek..." and "Blessed are the peacemakers..." excellent examples of peace. Those who choose a peaceful path, a Godly path will be the ones left. Those who choose violence and hate will wear themselves out or in violence’s case kill themselves off. God told us to love one another and that cannot be done at the end of the sword. Those who seek peace seek it out of love and care of their fellow man and because they have hope. Hope in a better world and peaceful way of life.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..." you can tie this into the sixth and eighth beatitude. Anybody who feels despair when they see the death in the world, the war in Iraq, the human rights violations knows that God has inspired those pure of heart to seek help for those harmed by atrocities. There is also hope in the last beatitude those persecuted, in attempting to right the worlds wrongs are.
The Beatitudes give us a glimpse at how God see us. How God love’s us? He will raise up those who are in dire straights those that need God the most. All in all, one thing that Ghandhi taught us and that is a message hidden in the Beatitudes and in the Bible is to be humble and have hope. Don’t be arrogant and prideful. Fill your heart with love and don’t be resentful. You don’t have to have riches or be the strongest to share in the glory of God and the treasures of heaven. Just realize you need to put away the material and visceral parts of life and pick up the spiritual and moral guidance that God offers .
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