February 13, 2022: the Sermon on the Plain

February 13, 2022 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Introduction

Frequently when I haven’t seen someone for a long time, I like to catch up with them and find out what they have been up to.

We usually discuss what’s happening in their life, how work is going and any significant events that have happened.
Then I like to ask them this one question, “are you happy?”
Answers usually vary.
However, I strongly believe that the one thing each of us wants out of life is happiness.
We want to be happy and satisfied.
So, this afternoon/morning I ask you, “Are you happy?”

Sermon on the Plain

The readings for Mass this weekend talk to us about happiness.

In our gospel we have what is entitled, “The Sermon on the Plain.”
Most of us are more familiar with Saint Matthew’s version called “The Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus gathers his disciples around him as well as a great crowd who desires to be healed.
He begins to teach them about the Kingdom of God. You might think of this as a homily.
It is divided into two parts: the first part contains four beatitudes that begin with the words “blessed are you” while the second part begins with the words, “Woe to you,”

Kingdom of God

When Jesus speaks or describes the kingdom of God, he usually begins by saying something to shatter people’s complacency.

Complacency can be described as a smug satisfaction with oneself.
In order for the Kingdom of God to break into people’s lives, their world has to be turned upside down.
Jesus wants people to know that there is a new order and a new way of thinking.
God has a plan for the human family. Jesus‘ words in the gospel today reflect that vision.

Happiness

His first words are “blessed are you.”

The actual word is the Greek word “makarios “.
It is best translated as “happy”
So each of those four beatitudes might be translated: happy are they who are hungry.
happy are they who are poor.
happy are they who weep.
happy are you when people insult you
Somehow that really doesn’t make sense.
However, there is a deeper meaning behind the word “makarios”
That word doesn’t necessarily translate as the common notion of “happy, happy.”
To the contrary, it describes the kind of happiness that comes from within.
It is rooted in something that does not change.
It bespeaks of a fullness and deep satisfaction that comes from the realization that God loves me and cares for me.
This is the kind of happiness that only God gives.

Need for God

The question remains: “How can Jesus say that those who are hungry or poor or hurting are the ones that are blessed or happy?”

The answer is simple: They are the ones who realize that they are profoundly in need of God.
Their source of help or consolation comes from him alone.
In that moment of realization, there is an intense openness to the Kingdom and God‘s plan for them.
In that moment, there is the explosion of happiness and a deep sense of joy in spite of difficulty.

God created human nature

God created human beings and human nature.

Since he is the source of existence, he knows ultimately what will make people happy.
God intends an enduring sense of joy, not fleeting happiness.
That is what he intends for the human family.

Paradox

There is a paradox here.

Authentic happiness is found in giving and sacrificing for others.
It really doesn’t seem to make sense because it would appear that happiness or satisfaction is the result of obtaining something.
However, that’s just not true.
Happiness in not found in taking but in giving.
Think of it this way: when you sacrifice for another person and give something of yourself, there is a deep sense of satisfaction.
That satisfaction leads to joy and true happiness.

Contrast of values

In the Sermon on the Plain there is a stark contrast between the values of God’s kingdom and the values of the world.

The Kingdom of God is based upon love, forgiveness, sacrifice and justice.
The world bases its values on power, wealth, position and popularity.
The world declares that if you have these things in your life, you will be happy.
Those values appear in the second part of Jesus‘s sermon.
Jesus declares that true happiness can never to be found there.
The reason why is they are always temporary and external.
They can come and they can go.
As a result, it is no wonder that Jesus says, “Woe to you rich; woe to you who are satisfied; and woe to you who have position and power.

Uneasiness

Perhaps that part of Jesus sermon makes people feel uneasy.

I am sure that it was Jesus’ intent.
That uneasiness should help us look inward and reflect upon our own lives and values.
Although The values proclaimed by Jesus may make us feel uncomfortable, there is something deep down inside of us that recognize the power of truth.

Conclusion

God wants us to be blessed.

He wants to give us the kind of happiness that will fulfill us in the very depths of our hearts.
That happiness can only come from him.
God knows that wealth, power and position will never totally fulfill any human being.
Jesus wants us to flourish.
God made each of us and knows what is best for us and what will make us happy.
Jesus doesn’t want us to waste our lives. He wants us to live our lives to the full.

Gospel Challenge

So, here’s the gospel challenge.