In today's Gospel, we are presented with a crucial teaching of Jesus—known as the Beatitudes. Matthew has Jesus going up the mountain to give his teaching—for his Jewish audience, there would be strong echoes of Moses going up Mount Sinai to receive the Commandments (see Ex 19). Just as Moses gave a list of moral guidance to the Chosen People, so Jesus offers guidelines to His friends and followers. Jesus, as happens so often, turns accepted society's values on their head. He talks of the poor, gentle, bereaved, and peacemakers being 'happy' or 'blessed'. In global politics at this time, we witness those who are forcing their own point of view on others. Instead of consensus and trying to reach a common goal for the good of the nation, we witness narrow partisan views being strongly pushed. We are called to be counter-cultural and follow a path of gentleness and care. This is not a case of folding and offering no challenge when our beliefs are being tested; rather it demands courage to stand up to what you know to be wrong—even if it personally hurts you:

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Matt 5:12)

In an age that seems to promote macho politics, such a stand could be considered weak or soft. However, as we well know, it takes guts to take a stand. Many followers of 'Coronation Street' find the racism storyline, centred on 'Max and 'Griff' hard to cope with. However, evil xenophobia is alive and well in reality—and on the British streets represented by this popular TV soap opera. What is hard to accept is the stand and seeming encouragement given to this wickedness by political and religious leadership. As we rightly condemn the Taliban for their treatment of women, so we should criticise US politicians who failed to condemn the Charlottesville 'Unite the Right' rally, and those who continue to belittle others on the basis of race or faith. While wanting to promote a fair and just immigration policy in Britain and needing to root out the evil of human trafficking, we cannot allow our politicians to dehumanise and belittle men, women and children refugees. We need to see ourselves as part of a strong solution, rather than using our faith to spread disinformation, lies and hurt. As Pope Francis reminds us, at the heart of the crisis lie real people:

Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more.

We all have heroes we admire and who help us to get through the problems that life throws at us. More often than not they show the same resilience and qualities that Jesus is talking about in the Beatitudes. I have one friend whom I have not seen because of the circumstances of these past few years, but those gifts of the beatitudes shine out in their life. They have that attitude of being there for others, myself included, when we are at our lowest. A text, positive Facebook meme, or a zoom call can make all the difference, especially in times of hardship and trial.

The final beatitude that speaks of unjust accusations and lies is especially hard to accept. However, as hard as it is to accept, even this unites us with Jesus who was charged and found guilty on the basis of fraud. Wickedness manifests itself in attacking the good that others show—the selfish narcissist only wants their way, their version of their 'truth' to be told. If that means breaking another with their vicious lies, they do not care. Today is a call to enter fully into the challenge of the Paschal Mystery—even at personal cost. Our faith is founded on hurt and brokenness: as Christians, we have to learn how to make sense of our brokenness and trauma. We need to be heartily sorry for those mistakes that we make. It is in those experiences of hurt that we gain valuable experience and become those 'wounded healers' that our Church needs more than ever today, as we metaphorically sit among the ruins of life and its problems. The wisdom of Henri Nouwen can offer some help, as he reminds us:

Who can save a child from a burning house without taking the risk of being hurt by the flames? Who can listen to a story of loneliness and despair without taking the risk of experiencing similar pains in his own heart and even losing his precious peace of mind? In short: "Who can take away suffering without entering it? "

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by Sven Vahaja on Unsplash