Mt 5,1-12
In the Gospels, we are described the Reign of God in many ways. Almost always through simple parables, which were – and still are – understandable and close. We all understand what a mustard seed that grows, a little leaven that makes a dough ferment, a treasure hidden in a field or a precious pearl that is suddenly discovered… Everything speaks to us of something small, that is overlooked at first, but that holds within itself the promise of joy, growth and life.
The Sermon on the Mount is another way of describing this Kingdom of God. Both Matthew and Luke offer a version of this discourse, bringing us closer to what they learned from Jesus and transmitting it each from their context and with their theological nuances. Matthew (whose gospel is the one we read today) describes Jesus proclaiming these words from a mountain, which transports us to another mount, Sinai, and another discourse, that of Moses when he presents the people of Israel with the tablets of the Law.
Thus, the evangelist shows us Jesus as the **new Moses**, the one who **presents and updates the will of God**, the desire that God has for humanity, for his sons and daughters, and the one who **liberates** from the yoke of all slavery.
From the mouth of Jesus we hear continuously “blessed,” which is the most habitual translation of μακάριοι, a term that we can also translate as “happy,” “fortunate,” “blessed“… Thus, Jesus wants those who listen to him to feel joyful and happy in circumstances that, at first glance, it seems impossible for us to recognize as “fortunate.” How to be happy when one is crying, living in poverty, or being persecuted? How to be happy when choosing gentleness, mercy, peace… for having a clean heart, without hatred or malice when all around one experiences violence, abuse, injustice…? What madness is this that the Master proclaims!
However, those who listened to Him at that time, who had sought Him out to be healed or freed by Him, experienced great joy in hearing those words, because they felt that they were directed to them. In this way of speaking, Jesus repeated to them that they are God’s favorites and that He loves them. It was them whom He called “blessed” and they felt blessed and welcomed by Jesus, forming part of His group. This message would resonate in their ears as hope: **the Kingdom of God is breaking in** **and you** **are part of it!**
It’s not that Jesus wants us to consider suffering, poverty, or persecution as positive realities. It’s not that we need to seek suffering or pain in any way. These are evils opposed to God’s will, and Jesus does not desire them for anyone, but encourages facing them as He did: with love, gentleness, peace, and kindness. It is those attitudes, and not their opposites, that make the growth of God’s Kingdom possible, like the small mustard seed or the yeast in the dough.
That’s why this gospel is for everyone. Perhaps we are not poor or we are not persecuted, but we can choose the side we take and with what attitudes we live. In these moments when it seems that violence and oppression raise their voice worldwide, when political and economic powers show the most voracious face of greed, what is our stance? What are our options? Only if we truly share the cause of those who suffer, of those who today weep or are persecuted, if we strongly experience hunger and thirst for justice, if we choose peace and kindness in the small and concrete of everyday life, these words we hear today will fill us with deep joy.
Only then will we be able to hear “be happy” and, despite the pain or suffering we may experience, our heart will be filled with a joy and a peace that nothing and no one can take away from us.
Inma Eibe, ccv
English version translated with AI