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| January 31, 2002 Edition | ||||
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No laughing matter:
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One of the powerful aspects of humor is when our expectations at the end of the building story are suddenly switched or reversed. The contrast between what we might expect to happen and what actually is said make some stories very funny. We call them "jokes."
We can imagine that Jesus would have had a good sense of humor, like any person of the time, but when he sat down on the mountain to teach he was very serious. Yet in the Sermon on the Mount, he gives us a teaching full of unexpected contrasts -- the Beatitudes.
Readings
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They are not jokes.
"Blessed are . . ." Jesus begins, and each of the Beatitudes talks about a state of being that, in the eyes of the world's eyes, is anything but blessed.
Is it blessed to be poor or poor in spirit? The world doesn't think so. To be rich, to be proud, to make something of oneself -- these are the world's values.
Is it blessed to mourn? Not for the world. We always want to be laughing; sorrow is something we don't want to look at, our own or the sorrows of others.
Is it blessed to be meek, a kind of mild-mannered Clark Kent? No, says the world. Go for the power, take what you want, let others grab for what they want or go without.
Is it blessed to hunger and thirst for righteousness, for justice? Well, the world thinks, as long as I get what I want, that's right and just. I don't care if others struggle as long as my lust for my desires is fulfilled.
Is it blessed to be merciful? Show no mercy, says the world, just as it says "show me the money."
Is it blessed to be clean of heart, or a peacemaker? Listen, says the world, you don't get ahead without knocking some heads together, without taking some risks, even at others' expense.
"The Beatitudes are not jokes. Rather, they are blueprints for living, and ... because of our faith we hang in there. After all, Jesus will have the last laugh, won't he?" |
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Is it blessed to be persecuted for righteousness, or to be insulted for Jesus? Are you kidding, thinks the world. Pleasure is what I want, not to suffer for some old principles or for a guy who died 2000 years ago.
We can imagine some in Jesus' audience looking at each other as they listened to this teaching, perhaps smiling, perhaps stifling a laugh. To some, these Beatitudes are laughable — to the worldly.
Yet, as Saint Paul teaches, God chooses the foolish of the world to shame the worldly-wise. The poor, the sorrowful, the meek, those who seek justice, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted and those insulted for the sake of Jesus -- they are weak and foolish, are they not, as the world views them? Yet God uses such disciples as these to put the wisdom of the world to shame, and to show forth his divine wisdom.
The Beatitudes are not jokes. Rather, they are blueprints for living, and sometimes those who live them well are not the ones who laugh. Maybe we cry tears of sadness, even as we know that Jesus will protect us.
Maybe the world's attitudes get to us, and yet because of our faith we hang in there.
After all, Jesus will have the last laugh, won't he?
Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.
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Third Millennium Prayer1. Loving and gracious God,in your providence you have brought us to a new beginning, a new millennium ripe for new evangelization. 2. We praise and bless you, Father. In renewed faith, hope, and love we give ourselves to you that you form us in the image of Jesus, your Son and our savior. 3. As followers of Jesus help us to have the courage to push out into the deep water and lower our nets for a catch. Teach us to listen to your voice, to trust in your word, to leave everything and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. 4. By the power of your Holy Spirit help us to work for greater solidarity with all people throughout the world. Enrich your Church with lasting measures of justice, leading us to true peace. 5. May Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for us in our desire to say yes to all that you, Father, ask of us. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. |
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