The Sermon on the Plain
Wait, I thought it was the Sermon on the Mount. Perhaps you are aware that this year we are reading a major section of the Gospel of Luke whose author tells the story of this particular event, also called the Beatitudes, much differently than we hear in Matthew.
In Luke’s Gospel, several important events lead up to this passage. Some compassionate encounters cause Jesus’ reputation as a healer to grow, fueled by a recent healing in the synagogue of a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. The religious leaders condemned such healing because it was interpreted as work, and work of any kind was strictly forbidden on the Sabbath day.
Jesus confounds those leaders with a simple question, “Is it lawful to save life rather than destroy it?” indicating that healing overrides the Sabbath fast. Jesus then goes up a mountain to spend the night in prayer. He summons twelve disciples up the mountain and chooses them to be his Apostles.
Then, with them accompanying him, he comes down from the mountain to the plain where many people are gathered. Symbolically he is joining all people, accompanied by those whom he has chosen.
The people are eagerly anticipating him and they have two huge needs. They need healing and they need to hear God’s word. He heals all of the sick brought there and then, clearly addressing the 12 disciples, he says they are blessed because they are… poor, hungry, weeping, hated, excluded, insulted and accused of being evil…all because of their relationship with him. He promises eventually in eternity they will possess the kingdom, be satisfied, laugh, have an eternal reward and be in union with the REAL prophets that preceded them.
However, unlike Matthew, Luke includes a message of woe to those who are…rich, filled, laughing, and admired.
As he personally addresses them, he says… you who have received temporary consolation, you will eventually be very hungry, you will grieve and weep and in doing so, you will share the fleeting impact of FALSE prophets.
In the Eucharist, we must not simply consume from a sacred time together. In its essence, the Eucharist calls us to reflect on the reality of life, and sometimes life is disturbing, challenging and even uncomfortable.
In the midst of life’s challenges, the Eucharist is an unconditional gift from God through Jesus Christ. The gift is actually many things, but among the most important is Christ’s REAL presence. I believe that the greatest grace moment in the Eucharist is when our/YOUR REAL presence meets Christ’s REAL presence.
Aren’t we all hungry, poor, sad, hated, excluded and falsely accused? Don’t we all feel wealthy, filled, happy and even admired sometimes?
These and many other descriptors that identify the reality of our lives. That reality shifts and changes. This strong Gospel message this week may make us a bit uncomfortable. We may identify with elements that receive the woe of Christ, or the blessedness. Perhaps that is our reality.
I believe that in the midst of it all, naming and coming in touch with the reality of our lives, whatever it may be, can lead us to a sense of Holy Communion with others whose reality is different, whose situation, appearance, sexual orientation, political beliefs, race, color or ideologies may be different.
Saying Amen to the REAL presence of Christ given the reality of woe or blessings for us is affirming a reality—Christ meets us where we are and that is amazing grace!!!
Parish Mission
Please mark your calendars for two great nights of spiritual insight—Tuesday February 18 with Friar Johnpaul Cafiero and Tuesday, February 25 with Fr. Michael SparoughS.J.