Sermon 2nd
February 2020 – Epiphany 4
Text:
Matthew 5:1-12 – Simply blessed
Sometimes
the solution to a problem is so simple that we often overlook it because, it
can’t be that simple.
In fact a
Franciscan monk, William of Occam from the 13th Century stated that
the simplest solution is most likely the right one.
It became
known as Occam’s Razor where all the non-essential parts were cut away leaving
the simplest solution.
How often
don’t we complicate situations, making it worse and discovering the answer was
there all the time under our noses and we wonder why we didn’t see it.
In today’s
Gospel reading this is what Jesus teaches when in his Sermon on the Mount he
delivers what have become known as The Beatitudes to explain the secrets of
life hidden under the obvious which we complicate by our own view of how to
find true happiness in life.
So, let’s
look at what Jesus says and how it applies more than ever in our world today:
Blessed are
the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus is
not talking about poor in financial terms but is speaking about a quality we call
humility – Poor in Spirit.
Often seen
as a weakness, humility allows us to see through superficial barriers.
When Jesus
came to dwell with us, Philippians says he emptied himself and became humble
all the way to the cross.
Humility
allows us to accept life the way it is even if we don’t always understand it.
Rather than
needing to prove ourselves before others humility allows us to be the people
God has made us to be, whether or not we are accepted or praised in the eyes of
the world.
And when we
see life as a gift from God regardless of what we achieve or attain in this
life – we see the Kingdom of Heaven is really all that matters and that it is
awaiting us – a place and gift that puts this life in true perspective.
If we want
to keep chasing this life, we will never be satisfied and we will never
appreciate what God has prepared for us.
Blessed are
those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Death is
the most difficult experience we face – the death of a loved one and the
prospect of our own death.
But death
for Christians is also the most beautiful experience in that it is not the end
of this life but the beginning our new life in heaven.
And that’s
why St Paul says – let us grieve – but not like those who have no hope.
Death is
difficult and painful as we see also in Jesus who weeps at the death of
Lazarus.
But he
assures the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha – that he is the resurrection
and the life and those who die trusting in him, even though they die they shall
live.
Without
faith, death becomes something we don’t talk about – we try to prolong life –
we call it anything but death.
But in
Christian faith Jesus simply puts it – those who mourn shall be comforted by
the assurance of eternal life where there will be no more mourning because there
will be no more death.
Blessed are
the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Like poor
in spirit, meekness is about accepting the life God has given to us.
The
difference is that Jesus wants us to still focus on life here on earth as God’s
gift as we wait to enter our home in Heaven.
We are here
for a purpose – God has created us – we are all special.
Ephesians 2
says: For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so
we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Even if the
world values us differently, we know that we are created in God’s image.
God wants
us to enjoy the bounty of this life while we wait for our true eternal home.
This life
is a gift from God and meekness allows us to inherit all that life has even if
the grass might seem greener on the other side of the fence.
How often
don’t we hear of millionaires and celebrities and sports stars who are so
unhappy with their lives despite seemingly having it all.
Every day
is a gift from God.
Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
I hear it
so often – life is so unfair.
Why do
people get away with it?
Who are
they answerable to?
So often
you read the news or turn on the TV and you see something that just isn’t
right.
And you feel
powerless to make things right.
Jesus
assures us that we must all give an account before God.
St Paul
urges us to not get angry but to leave room for God’s justice.
And so too
Jesus says – trust God.
You who are
seeking justice and righteousness – you will find it when God sets things right
on Judgment Day.
Blessed are
the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
This is not
a “tit for tat”.
This is not
what some people call “karma” – that if you do good things to others then
others will do good things to you.
No, this is
about experiencing the peace of God that goes beyond human understanding when
we can live lives that show mercy to others.
It enables
us to experience the knowledge of God’s mercy by showing that same mercy to
others.
It’s like
what we pray in the Lord’s Prayer – forgive us our sins as we forgive those who
sin against us.
It’s not
saying God won’t forgive if we don’t forgive.
But if we
don’t forgive others can we truly know how much God has forgiven us?
You sort of
get that peaceful feeling when you do something good for someone else without
them doing something for you.
Maybe you’re
driving and you let someone else in who is looking for someone to let them
squeeze into the traffic.
Even though
the next person may not return the favour to you, you have that sense of
knowing you did the right thing even if the right thing hasn’t been done to you.
Alternatively
you can demand your rights and that person can just wait like I had to wait.
What
feeling do you have in you then?
Instead of
a feeling of anger or frustration for all the things done against you, you can
experience peace by showing mercy.
A feeling
that is much more powerful than the feeling of being right.
It’s like
when you’re having a dispute in a relationship and you know you’re right and
you’re not going to back down.
But what is
better – to be right and be unreconciled – or to show mercy and work towards
reconciliation?
Blessed are
the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Jesus is
reminding us that sin breaks down our relationship with God.
No matter
how small or how many people are doing it today or others are doing much worse
than I am – sin breaks down our relationship with God as it did for Adam and
Eve who hid from God when they realised they had sinned.
This is not
about works righteousness to earn God’s love.
No, Jesus
forgives our sin.
But living
in right ways enables us to have a clean conscience – a pure heart to see God’s
presence in our lives and to see his work in our lives.
In Jesus’
tine so many people wanted to see God at work through the miracles Jesus was
doing.
But Jesus
made it really simple – if you have seen me you have seen the Father.
Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Peacemakers
is not about what we saw in the 60s with the peace movement.
No this is
about peace with God.
These are
the ones who seek to end conflict through forgiveness by exampling forgiveness
they have with God with others.
These are
the ones who, as stated before, are prepared to seek reconciliation rather than
their own rights.
Before his
accusers Jesus remained silent even though he could have demanded justice.
When Peter
cuts off the ear of the arresting soldier Jesus rebukes him and tells him to
put away his sword – don’t you think my Father could send a multitude of angels
to protect me.
Even from
the cross, writhing in pain, Jesus calls out to his Father to forgive those who
were nailing him to the cross.
Jesus calls
us to bring about peace by being the peacemakers.
Being the
peacemakers by being the ones who will forego our own justice for the sake of
peace.
By loving
our enemies and by loving one another as Jesus loves us – and by this all will
know we are Jesus disciples – Children of God.
Blessed are
those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
(Note the
beatitudes begin and end with “theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”.
There is no
doubt that it is getting harder to express our Christian faith.
Whether
it’s defending what we believe or trying to keep Christmas and Easter with a
focus on Jesus.
Jesus
doesn’t need us to defend him – as he told Peter – put away your sword.
Our
response to persecution is to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute
us.
Again, we
can be right in our defence, but will that achieve anything?
Jesus won
the affection of others by eating with sinners not by proving to them that they
are sinners.
The Sermon
on the Mount, the Beatitudes, is a reminder to trust God in adversity.
While the
world highlights adversity as weakness or negatives, Jesus says that they are
assurances of God’s presence with us – as St Paul says – when I am weak, then I
am strong.
Not that we
should look for adversity or welcome it – but that we should use them to remind
us of God’s plan for us and remember that our sufferings are not worth
comparing with the joy that awaits is in the Kingdom of Heaven where there will
be no more suffering or death.
Blessed are
all because of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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