A Christian celebration of humanity consists in lovingly midwifing our fellow humans into full being. One of our God-given endowments is creativity, the ability to cooperate with God in the inauguration of the kingdom. We’re called to use this creativity in nurturing our brothers and sisters as full members of that kingdom, and we do this by going out of our way to help them recognize and affirm themselves as images of God. In concrete terms, this means performing the acts of charity listed in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew: clothing the naked, tending the sick, visiting the imprisoned, giving food and drink to the hungry and thirsty. Celebrating the sheer existence of others often demands that we do the dirty work of easing the material burdens that inhibit them from arriving at a conscious appreciation of their own holiness.
FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2021 “Plans for peace and not for woe. As Christians, today we wish to renew our commitment to building a future together. For our future will be peaceful only if it is shared. Human relationships cannot be based on the pursuit of partisan interests, privileges and advantages. No, the Christian vision of society arises from the Beatitudes; it is born of meekness and mercy, and it inspires us to imitate in this world God’s own way of acting, for he is a father who desires his children to live in peace. We Christians are called to be sowers of peace and builders of fraternity, not nursing past grudges and regrets, not shirking the responsibilities of the present, but looking instead with hope to the future. We believe that God has shown us but one way: the way of peace.” Pope Francis
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) was born in Turin, Italy, to a wealthy and prominent family. He was a vibrant, joyful, and athletic youth with an adventurous spirit and a strong zest for life. He loved mountain climbing, the theater, opera, and literature. He also had a deep spiritual life and a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Virgin Mary, even while his piety provoked criticism from his parents. He challenged his friends to a life of virtue, leading them in spiritual exercises such as daily Mass and the rosary. He joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society in 1918 and became a Lay Dominican in 1922. He was also politically active in resisting fascism and communism; he took part in public demonstrations and joined religious-political organizations such as the Catholic Students Federation and Catholic Action. He also spent much time caring for the sick and poor to a heroic degree, yet his parents punished him when they caught him giving away his money and possessions. While ministering to the sick he contracted polio and died just six days later at the age of 24. His family, thinking he suffered from a mild sickness, did not realize the seriousness of his condition until it was too late. At his funeral his parents were shocked to find thousands of the city’s poor, whom their son had helped in some way, arrive to pay their respects. Pope St. John Paul II called Pier Giorgio Frassati a “man of the beatitudes” at his beatification in 1990. His feast day is July 4th.
“How do we practice the Beatitudes? They do not ask us to do extraordinary things, feats beyond our abilities. They ask for daily witness. The blessed are those who live meekly, who show mercy wherever they happen to be, who are pure of heart wherever they live. To be blessed, we do not need to become occasional heroes, but to become witnesses day after day. Witness is the way to embody the wisdom of Jesus. “Pope Francis
Everybody wants to be happy, and we all know those things that will help us achieve it. Eating right, sleeping well, exercising regularly, and praying without end are essential. But we don’t do those things. Why? Simple. We are too busy. Too busy doing what? Too busy trying to be happy…and that is the paradox of happiness that has bewitched our age.
God created us to know, serve, and love Him. He also wants us to be joyful. But, happiness can be a fleeting thing unless we seek it in Him. Only in God can we find eternal happiness. The Beatitudes are a guide on how to practice the highest Christian virtues. They are at the heart of Jesus’ teachings, and respond to our natural desire to lead happy lives. It teaches us that true happiness is not found in riches, fame, or personal achievements. That kind of happiness can be found in God alone.
The Beatitudes (from the Baltimore Catechism, p. 151-152):
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The poor in spirit are those who humbly submit to the condition of their lives
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Mourners are those who endure all trials for His sake.
3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. The meek suppress all feelings of anger and humbly submit to whatever befalls them by the Will of God never desiring to do evil for evil.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Those who earnestly desire and seek justice will find it.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The merciful help those who need help for their soul or body.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. The pure in heart are those whose thoughts, desires, words, and works are pure and modest.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Peacemakers avoid/prevent quarrels and reconcile with enemies.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Those persecuted for righteousness’ sake will not abandon their faith or virtue for any cause.
Our Lord lived the Beatitudes. During His life on Earth, Christ experienced poverty in His birth, life, and death; meekness in His teaching; and sorrow at all times. He sought to do good, showed mercy to all, recommended chastity, brought peace, and patiently endured suffering. We are called to do the same.
How will you apply this message to your life? Will you use the Beatitudes as a guide for living your life? Will you seek happiness from God alone…the one true source for eternal happiness?
Fr. Mike reads the Sermon on the Mount and explains how Jesus’ teachings powerfully fulfill the old testament law, and identify the broken human heart as the source of our sinful actions. We learn that Jesus himself is the remedy to our sins, and that the secret to holiness is living in the perfect will of God. Today’s readings are Matthew 5-7, and Proverbs 18:21-24.
