Living the Sermon on the Mount: How people will know we believe in Jesus.

Island of Siapan

A thought that struck me last night during Steve’s homily was how our Christian life is based on love. The Commandments given at Mt Sinai are about love of God, love of others and self-respect. Jesus, the new Moses in Matthew’s Gospel, gives us a new vision of the commandments but still rooted in love. So, if all this is true, then how did our world get to be where it is today? I keep wondering how we went from the powerful witness of the early Church and the drastic commitment to Christ to being part of the status quo.

Last week we were told to be the light of the world. What better way to light up the world than to offer a way to show that our anger does not lead to war, violence, and harmful things. I just read that Pope Leo asks us to fast from harmful and hurtful words. Wow. I keep thinking of what could be accomplished if we spoke honestly with each other, disagreed and argued with a Christlike attitude, and embraced peace above the need to dominate each other. I am not just thinking of the larger world, but on a parish level, diocesan level, and universal level. How did we get to a place where it is ok for Christians to call each other names, make the liturgy a war zone about who is correct or not, or argue about who is worthy of our help.

Anger is a normal reaction to a threat. It protects us. It can be used to build a better world Lets be angry that people are hungry and homeless in a country where most of us throw food away every day. Let us be angry when people are discriminated against because of sex, color, creed, who they love, etc. Let us be angry when human life is cheapened. Let us be angry that people with a mental health diagnosis cannot find help or acceptance. Let us be angry that we all think that this is someone else’s job and not ours. Using our anger to change this world into the world Jesus preached is the call of the Chrisitan people in every age.

We must confront our lusts in the Chrisitan life. Lust is more than a sexual feeling. The following definition may be useful.

“Lust—sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God (Rom. 1:21). “Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the center of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity.” In Mark 4:19 “lusts” are objects of desire.”  Easton’s Bible Dictionary, p 431

Yes, sexual feelings are included but lust is also about the drive for power without any thought of another. It is the objectification of another and see that person as an object of gratification. Pornography serves no purpose in the Chrisitian life because of this objectification of another. Lust is the prefect narcissist. The world revolves around me, and all exist for me. It is easy to sin why this is problematic in the Christian. “The greatest among you will serve the rest. “Jesus to the disciples after he washed their feet,” As I have done for you, do for others.”  We follow a God who served us to the end by dying for us to free us. Healthy desires are needed. We are to love each other and all people for who they are. To long for another is the basis of intimacy. To be hungry for food, water, clothing, etc. is normal but never at the expense of another.

Jesus is teaching us with such clarity and all he is asking is that we say yes consistently to him, even when it gets hard. Jesus told us to season the world last week. This week, he opens us the door. As we begin Lent on Ash Wednesday, may each of us work to recommit ourselves to Christ and may our parishes draw others, not because of fancy programs, but because they see Christians living the Way of Christ.