First Reading: Jer 17:5-8; Psalm: 1. R. v. Ps 40:5ab; Second Reading: 1Cor 15:12.16-20; Gospel: Lk 6:17.20-26
THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TO THE BEATITUDE
BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP
Mr. Peterson just had a successful heart surgery. While he was recuperating, he was reassured by Sister MaryAnn who was waiting by his bed that he was going to be fine. However, the nun quickly asked: “Mr. Peterson, we need to know how you intend to pay your medical bills. Are you covered by insurance?”
“No, I’m not,” he reverted.
“Then, can you pay in cash?” persisted the nun.
“I’m afraid I cannot, Sister.”
“Well, do you have any close relatives?” the nun questioned sternly.
“Just my sister in New Mexico,” he replied. “But she’s a humble, spinster nun.”
“Oh, I must correct you, Mr. Peterson. Nuns are not spinsters; they are married to God.”
“Wonderful,” said Mr. Peterson. “In that case, please send the bill to my brother-in-law.”
Our gospel reading of today is not the favourite of the rich. But it is also not for the consolation of the poor per se. Hearing this reading, any rich person may feel unfairly addressed; and the poor may feel that God is finally doing right by them. But this will be a very wrong way to understanding this passage. No priest hopes to have this gospel reading on a fund-raising Sunday of the parish. He may lose some rich generous donors. To the rich, however this passage is interpreted, there is often that pinch of dissatisfaction with the ‘woe’ that Jesus pronounced on them. It feels very harsh. I hope no fellow priest is having a parish fund raising on a day like this.
Our gospel of today neither attempts to rubber-stamp poverty, sorrow and pain; nor does it hope to announce the poor and the suffering as favourites of God over the rich. We are all valued and precious in the sight of God. I would like to suggest one beautiful way to look at today’s gospel and understand it differently. Today’s gospel is saying to us that: God is with us all the way in all circumstances to help us see the positives in our seemingly unfavourable situations. And to warn us if in a favourable position to beware lest we lose the most important thing in life. The point of the beatitude is not favouritism but following the lead of God who gives us insight and guides us to make the right choices in life.
Roy Campanella was a successful American baseball player. But then an automobile accident left him paralyzed in a wheel and ended his career abruptly. However, he found strength in the following:
“I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey . . .
I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. . .
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise. . .
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. . .
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. . .
I got nothing I asked for – but everything I had hoped for
Almost despite myself, my unspoken words were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed.”
In the above quote, Roy Campanella was not extolling his setback which ended his career. But he chose to embrace the insight that God revealed to him in his situation, and there he found consolation and peace. Poverty might not make us happy, but it can make us wise. Sickness may unfortunately make us weak; but then we can begin to find strength in God. Sorrow can leave us heartbroken, but we can begin to see the strength of the support of family and friends. In every unfortunate situation, there is a blessedness to enjoy. And it is God who provides these needed supports often through those around us.
Riches and comfort are favourable conditions we all hope for. The ‘woe’ that Christ pronounced on the rich and the satisfied is not a curse but an admonition of love to live wisely. But this ‘woe’ ceases to be an admonition and becomes a curse if the consolation that riches offered is not shared that the poor may have enough alongside the rich. If the satisfaction of good living is not availed to the indigent that they begin to feel deficient. And if the rich rejoiced over the suffering of the poor.
The central message of the beatitude is to see that the kingdom of God – that is, the kingdom of love, justice and truth reigns on earth. And this can be achieved when we follow the lead of God who inspires and guides us in every circumstance in life. Like the prophet Jeremiah warned in our first reading; “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come.” But “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream . . . for its leaves remain green.” If we trusted in God and follow his lead, we shall reap the fruits of the beatitude.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord Jesus, we pray for the docility to respond to your lead in the light of your gospel. Amen.
