Father Rick Bolte's Homily

A: Fourth Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Sometimes we gain understanding of a Gospel writer’s message by comparing it to another’s.  As we read Matthew’s version of the beatitudes it’s helpful to compare them with Luke’s.  Many scripture scholars believe Luke’s version may be closer to the original.  First he addresses his disciples directly saying “Blessed are you . . .” rather than the formula used in other places in the Bible “Blessed are they . . .” as Matthew does.  Secondly Luke says blessed are the poor, hungry, thirsty while Matthew spiritualizes it by saying blessed are the poor in spirit and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  In looking at Luke’s version, we have to realize that being poor is not as much about a financial situation as it is about honor.  Jesus’ disciples were those who had left their homes, villages, and occupations to be with Jesus.  One’s honor was based upon following in their father’s trade footsteps and continuing that work for the good of the village.  Without a trade and a family and village community, a person had no honor.  One’s honor was reinforced by who you associated with.  Jesus’ followers were from all levels of society, especially the lowest.  Jesus addresses his disciples as they have become poor (dishonored) for the kingdom.

Matthew generalizes this concept and perhaps more accurately for us rephrases it “poor in spirit.”  Poverty and persecution are not goals in and of themselves.  Many of us who try to take Jesus’ message seriously my let out a sigh of relief here.  But that actually does not let us off the hook.  To be poor in spirit means to have the perspective of one who is poor.  Recently there have been some newspaper articles about a family who have just had triplets born into their household and now they lost everything in a house fire.  Instead of fixating on what they have lost, they speak with gratitude that no one was hurt.  They have been very grateful to all who have offered assistance of various kinds.  In times of crisis, when our world gets shaken to its foundation, we are often pushed to our fundamental values.  We value the life and health of our loved ones over any material possession.  Even when a person is facing death, they are still grateful for the love they have shared in life and the faithful companionship of those who share that love.  In times of crisis, we remember what matters most.

Sadly, when the crisis is over, we forget.  We go back to taking care of the many things we have and do that become for us so immediate and important.  Our house needs to be cared for inside and out.  Our lawns need attention and we need to do landscaping.  Our cars need cleaning, upgrading, and the like.  Our children need to be in any number of groups, sports, and extra curricular activities.  We get busy in our social and volunteer activities.  These all have times we and/or other members of our families have to be there and deadlines when others are counting on us to have jobs completed.  Soon, we are caught up with all these good and important activities and our greatest priorities get lost for lack of time and energy.

To be poor in spirit, we need to be in contact with those who are poor.  By poor we don’t just mean financially poor.  People who have mental or physical disabilities as well as people who are dying, imprisoned, homebound, or sick and people would all also be considered poor.  The poor are those whose lives are forcing them to ask the ultimate question about what really is important in life as they find their lives so limited.  Though the poor are not to be idealized, being united enough with them to truly appreciate what life is like for them can be a great gift for us.  Without this contact, we almost invariably get lost in all we have and are trying to do.  With this gifted contact, we have a ready reminder of what really matters when our lives threaten to get overwhelming.  To be poor in spirit, to be united with those who are poor, is to be free from the enslavement to all our society says we have to do and have.  Let us ask God for the freedom that is his gift as we seek to be poor in spirit.