Dear Friends,
They say timing is everything, and I have to admit my timing is usually a little off kilter. If my timing was better, we would have concluded this bulletin series on the Beatitudes last week and would now discuss a new topic as we begin Lent. Nevertheless, we still reflect upon the last Beatitude today: “Blessed are those persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It is worth noting that this beatitude and the first beatitude (“Blessed are the poor in spirit) end the same way: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Those who have received the worst—poverty, persecution, scorn—will be given the best: the kingdom of heaven.
If you remember some of the earlier beatitudes, there was discussion about how those beatitudes pointed to detachment, to being free from certain addictions. Specifically, those beatitudes declared how blessed are those detached and free from addiction to power, pleasure, and wealth. With our current beatitude, our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us how fortunate, blessed, and happy are those detached from prestige and honor. In other words, those persecuted for the sake of righteousness are those who are more concerned with pleasing God rather than pleasing others; they are more interested in what God wants rather than what others want. Having such an outlook and approach to life creates enemies and attracts scorn and disdain. In contrast, sometimes we fail to follow Christ more closely because we are worried about what others may think of us; in other words, we are addicted to prestige and honor. Remembering that the Beatitudes are exemplified by Jesus Christ on the Cross, we see Him far away from receiving prestige and honor. Instead, Jesus is mocked, derided, and selected for crucifixion over a criminal—all of this because He chose the will of the Father over placating the crowds.
Looking at this beatitude in another way, we can see that one who lives all of the beatitudes is also one persecuted. The persecuted disciple of Christ experiences poverty after being despoiled. The persecuted disciple is led to practice meekness in the face of violence done to him or her. The persecuted disciple weeps and grieves over separation from loved ones. The persecuted disciple knows hunger and thirst for justice when condemned. The persecuted disciple has ample opportunity to practice mercy and forgiveness. The persecuted disciple strives to keep his heart pure of all duplicity despite the traps set up for him. The persecuted disciple seeks peace in the midst of the war waged against him. Perhaps not what any of us want to hear, but the Beatitudes find their full realization in the persecuted Christian.
Thinking about why persecution is necessary, there are a few considerations. In moments of persecution of whatever form, those are opportunities for us to put our faith in Christ crucified and risen from the dead, to practice charity daily with courage and fidelity to the Gospel, and to unite our suffering with the sufferings of our Lord Jesus. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote, this Beatitude is an invitation to follow the crucified Christ—an invitation to the individual as well as to the Church as a whole. The persecuted Christian also reveals the spiritual features of the Christian soul: trusting humility and sweetness, tears and consolation, the desire for justice and generous mercy, purity and simplicity, and peace and joy. Lastly, persecution is a strong reminder of the reality and demands of love for Christ and the power of that love in the face of poverty, suffering, and death.
We are saints under construction, following and being conformed to Christ crucified. Have a great week!
In Christ,
Fr. Matt