Fr. Aidan Writes:
This weekend we are given a tighter version of the Beatitudes, as recalled by St Luke,
which come with a sequel…the maledictions! These and next week’s Gospel are paradox- ical. They need interpretation. What is the overarching interpretive tool we need? Well, essentially, they are about blessing (in Greek this also means happiness, not in just a sense of fun and well- being, but a deep seated profound joy). So blessing, as deep profound joy, reveals a desire/hunger for union/friendship/fulfillment with God; conversely, when you have much to satisfy your physical and worldly needs (material wealth etc) that desire tends to dull the desire for God.
Our faith needs to be profound and deep, not just superficial nor just going through the motions. Our Faith is a verb more than it is a noun; it is something we do. Faith is driven by desire for God, going deeper with him, being challenged and changed by this gift of our life-pilgrimage into the heart and mind of God. It is not necessarily a comfy ride. Our faith needs to be challenged, otherwise it can get flabby and misshapen. Faith, to be really practiced, needs to be unsatisfied with the status quo, unful- filled by our present material lot, uneasy with easy answers to complex questions of life. If we do only one thing about our faithfulness this year, let it be to allow ourselves to be challenged and grow deeper into Christ.
God bless us all this week,
Fr Aidan-Peter CJ
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter