There are writings, which raise the admiration of people for the depth and the beauty of the language, as they touch the depth of people’s feelings.
I would consider the page of the Gospel proclaimed today, the Beatitudes, in the way Matthew transmitted them, among the most touching texts, somehow like S. Francis’ Canticles of Creatures or – especially for those who have been in touch with Italian culture – Dante’s Hymn to Mary in the Paradise part of the Divine Comedy.
As a matter of fact, Matthew places the Beatitudes at the beginning of the first of Jesus’ teachings. We know that, as presented by commentators, Matthew builds the main body of his gospel around five sections containing a speech and a series of actions by Jesus. To this body of teachings and actions Matthew places at the beginning the narratives linked to the birth of Jesus. At the end, he places the accounts of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
As we know, the opening expression gives the main idea, which the author intends to develop: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’.
It is an expression that includes all the people whose lives are open to the action and the promptings of the Lord. They know their dependence from God and they do not consider themselves self-sufficient in anything.
Jesus then continues with pointing out the aspects of mourning, meekness, hunger for justice, mercy and purity of heart. These attitudes in life are a consequence of being poor in spirit. They intend to show the type of relationships we ought to build up with people, as followers of Jesus.
In the tradition of spirituality, these attitudes are considered virtues in themselves. The virtue of humility sums up these attitudes as being part of the life of the follower of Jesus.
To this, we add also the situation of being persecuted for the sake of Jesus. It is, as we know, something that happens frequently in many places. It includes the situations where to believe in Jesus is outlawed by the authorities, as are the places where the fact of being a Christian believer places him outside and even, if not against the common mentality of the majority group. Consequently, the person feels excluded from the day-to-day conversation with fellow citizens and has no access to some social functions and responsibilities in society.
The gospel text finds its roots in the words of the prophet Zephaniah, proclaimed in the first reading today. The prophet was addressing himself to the people in a time when in Israelite society prevailed a kind of ‘laziness’ in religious practices: people were celebrating a cult which had become mixed with practices imported from the religious traditions of neighbouring peoples. In addition, society was marked by a deep divide between the rich and the poor. The latter were left to fend for themselves in trying to work out a mere survival.
It was, historically, the time before the reform of king Josiah which began around 622 B.C.
The prophet indicates the presence of people who are humble, as those who will build the nations renewed, made up of people whose religion is genuine.
Humble people recognise their need of God. They accept God in their lives. Consequently, their religious practices are genuine: they stem from a heart that is open to the word of God. In other words, they accept God and obey his commandments. They do not celebrate the cult to bend God to suit their plans, as it was often the case with religious practices taken from other peoples.
The same attitude of humility appears in the second reading, taken form the first letter to the community of Corinth. Paul states that God’s project, which Jesus brought, is realised through the poor in spirit. They are the people who are mostly open to the word of God.
The gospel initially spread among the poor and the humble of the land.
It continues to be true today. The history of many churches shows that evangelization is often the result of actions carried out by simple people who become fascinated by the person of Jesus and are attracted by the message of the gospel. They are the first witnesses to Christ, who then spread the message.
The question we ask ourselves is how to put these words of Jesus in practice in our societies today. We realize that our world proposes a type of attitudes where to prevail over others and to be strong are considered the ways to success. To achieve one’s ideals in life, one needs to overcome other people, to be stronger than they and to arrive first.
Leadership in society is often achieved through strength. We know of governments that maintain power through strong means which too often lead to violence. I mean, we know of governments which maintain order and stifle opposition with violent means. They equate voicing difference of opinion with treason and consider those who voice different opinions as enemies.
In addition, in our daily actions, we realise that we do not easily give way to others when, for example, getting into a bus or queuing up in public offices. We want to prevail.
The word of God of this Sunday, instead, shows a different path.
It may be considered foolish by public mentality. Nevertheless, it is the only way with which we may build a better society. It is important that people feel at home and feel respected and valued for what they are, that is, human persons and not just numbers.
Would not kindness towards others be equated to humility? Or to be the poor in Spirit who are called blessed by Jesus?
I think that humility, as the Gospel teaches it, is the way for us Christians, believers in Jesus, to contribute to the building up of a more just world and a peaceful coexistence.
By: Luigi Morell, M.Afr.