Sunday Gospel for Feb. 3, 2008: Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the highlights of Jesus’ ministry, the first part of which is referred to as the Beatitudes. The word “beatitude” is from the Latin word “beatus,” meaning “a state of utmost bliss,” of “supreme happiness,” of “true happiness.” The Beatitudes are often misinterpreted as “it is good to be poor.” Further study of the gospel shows otherwise.

The Beatitudes were declarations of blessings for the marginalized sector of society during Jesus’ time. Even during the Old Testament times, those who were considered poor enjoyed the special protection of kings and were favored by God. This “divine” favor was not attributed to their social status or inner disposition but because of God’s disposition towards them. Hence, Jesus’ ministry affirmed what the prophets said about the Messiah. This is the reason why Jesus came: to seek out and save the last, the lost and the least. “The Sovereign Lord has filled me with His Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to announce release to captives and freedom to those in prison.” (Isaiah 61:2)

Jesus incessantly preached about the Kingdom of God – that it is not a place but a condition where justice, equality, well-being, love and forgiveness prevails. Thus, Matthew’s message to his audience (mostly Jewish) during his time was for them to favor the poor and marginalized just as God found favor with them, because God made them co-heirs of His Kingdom as well.

The same message resonates in the Catholic Church today. The 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines declared, "Following the way of our Lord, we opt to be a Church of the poor.” As Jesus’ followers, Filipino Catholics are enjoined to have a preferential love for the poor because of the abject poverty and misery that a great number of Filipinos find themselves in. The poor should be welcomed, made to feel at home and actively involved in our Church, if we are to follow the way of Christ. The late Pope John Paul II describes this option very succinctly and exhorts us to rise to the challenge: “This love of preference for the poor cannot but embrace the immense multitudes of the hungry, the needy, the homeless, those without medical care and, above all, those without hope of a better future. To ignore these realities would mean becoming like the ‘rich man’ who pretended not to know the beggar Lazarus lying at his gate.”

As a Catholic, what little things can you do to rise to the challenge to live out the preferential option for the poor? As a member of the Singles Apostolate, how can you improve your involvement in the Outreach ministry?

Sources: Guillemete, Nil, A Kingdom for All, p. 151

Catechism for Filipino Catholics