This Sunday (Jan. 30) we have been given the Sermon on Mount from Matthew’s gospel (5: 1 – 12a) for our meditation. January 30 is also the anniversary of the martyrdom of one of the greatest men of history – Mahatma Gandhi. He was killed on January 30, 1948 while walking towards the stage where he was going to lead a prayer meeting. The last words came out from his lips were believed to be Raam – Raam (God –God).  Two days before his assassination Gandhi said: “If I am to die by the bullet of a mad man, I must do so smiling. There must be no anger within me. God must be in my heart and on my lips”.

I see a great coincidence of the reading of the Sermon on the Mount this Sunday and Gandhi’s death. In a reported conversation between Gandhi and Lord Irwin, (the former British Viceroy of India), the latter asked the former what he thought would solve the problems between Great Britain and India. Gandhi took a Bible and opened Matthew’s gospel and said: “When your country and mine shall get together on the teachings laid down by Christ in this Sermon on the Mount, we shall have solved the problems not only of our countries but those of the whole world”.   If the Sermon on the Mount has influenced people outside of Christianity who changed the world for the better, how much more it should influence us, who are the followers of Christ.

As part of my class with a great Scripture scholar at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Fr. Francis Martin, I wrote a summary of Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth. Ever since, I fell in love with the writing style of the Holy Father and found that there is so much clarity and consistency in his writing. In my future blogs I plan to comment more on his other books. In the fourth chapter of Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict is talking about the Sermon on the Mount. Some of the ideas I try to explain here are from this book.

Matthew is attempting to show Jesus as the new Moses who gives the new commandment from the Mount. The authority of Jesus to teach is established as he sits down: “He takes his seat on the cathedra of the mountain” (p. 65). But unlike Moses, Jesus broadens the Covenant to include all nations by giving the new Torah to the entire world, present and future. Holy Father categorically acknowledges the validity of the Ten Commandment when he says Jesus did not replace it with his Sermon on the Mount but completes it.

The Beatitudes are full of paradoxes because God’s values are different from worldly values: “When man begins to see and live from God’s perspective, when he is a companion on Jesus’ way, then he lives by new standards, and something of the eschaton, of the reality to come, is already present” (p. 72). It is not a social program from Jesus for his followers but an action from faith generated strength of renunciation and responsibility for our neighbor and for the whole society.

Jesus is the Messiah expected to bring a renewed Torah what Paul might say the “law of Christ” (Gal. 6: 2). The freedom coming from following the “law of Christ” in truth makes us slaves: “In Jesus’ case it is not the universally binding adherence to the Torah that forms the new family. Rather, it is adherence to Jesus himself, to his Torah” (p. 115). Holy Father says that Israel exists to be a light of nations and Jesus brings the God of Israel to all nations, “so that all nations now pray to him and recognize Israel’s Scriptures as his word, the word of the living God” (p. 116). The gift of universality is the fruit of Jesus’ work and that is why Jesus is the new Messiah. Our response to this call is to be in communion with Jesus. Followers of Jesus who have the character traits of the beatitudes and who live according to the Sermons are a powerful “light,” and “witness,” in to-days world.

(For Further Reading: Benedict XVI. Jesus of Nazareth. New York: Doubleday, 2007.)

Matthew wrote his gospel for the Jewish Christians and in the Sermon on the Mount we clearly see the connection between Moses and Jesus. Just as Moses went up to the Mountain to pray and receive the commandments form God, Jesus also is bringing his new commandment to the New Israel from the Mountain.  Mountain is a place of solitude and being away from the worldly distractions one can converse with God. Also people believed that since God’s abode is above, going to the mountain allows one to be closer to God. Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ interpretation of Torah and thus contains his ethical teaching. In Deuteronomy 18: 15 Mosses tells the people of Israel:  “A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen.” Mathew is trying to tell that Jesus is that New Moses whom everyone has to listen now.

Moses is the Law giver in the Old Testament. In St. John’s gospel we read “the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (1: 17). If Moses is the giver of the law, Jesus is the giver of grace and truth. Even when the first set of tablets were destroyed because of the sin of the people, Moses’ intercession helped them to receive it for a second time. When Moses mediated the Old Covenant, where God’s grace and justice remained unresolved, Jesus mediates the New Covenant a response to which through faith brings grace and peace. Just as the Old Covenant is subordinate to the New, Moses is a type inferior to Jesus.

Now, let us take and read this New Torah, the commandment from the Lord and live accordingly so that the rest of the world might come to know Christ.

I would also like to give a short reflection on three of the Beatitudes:

Blessed are the Meek (v.5): The real model here is Jesus who is gentle and meek and its highest form is expressed in the cross. Mt 11: 29 Jesus says: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves”. It is walking in the way of the Lord rather than on our way. Meekness gives us opportunity to create relationship with others which is crucial for our witnessing. A person who has this virtue can even approach enemies and be able to transform them.  This could be misunderstood as the character of the weak but real meekness is a character of the strong.

Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (v. 6): This virtue is of utmost importance in human relationships. This virtue is close to the heart of many people even if they are not religious and might be a connecting link for us to relate to them and work together for the betterment of humanity. If we could connect with people in their hunger and thirst for righteousness that would open the door for us to lead them further to Jesus who is the source of all righteousness: “whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst” (Jn. 6: 31)

The Peacemakers (v. 9): We live in a world where violence and hatred are overpowering our peaceful coexistence. True peacemakers can produce right relationships with other people. This quality is not only the absence of violence and hatred but a positive attitude of helping each other to live harmoniously. This is also one of the most important elements in witnessing Christ in a war toned world. This is a state one has to inculcate in oneself, in the family, church, society and nation. When the followers of Christ become peacemakers, they will be instruments of blessedness to others. 

Zacchaeus Story, Part III

In his excitement of having Jesus at his home Zacchaeus exclaimed: “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor” (Lk. 19: 8). The people in the house were shocked to hear this announcement since they all knew of the rumors of how much wealth he has in the bank, stock market besides in the real estate. He has invested well the money he got from his work as a tax collector. The expression in Jesus’ face remained the same as Zacchaeus expected Jesus to extol him instantly for this courageous decision. Nobody could guess what was going on in Jesus’ mind except Zacchaeus. So he suddenly continued: “…and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” (19: 8). He has exceeded what is required by the law and the presence of Jesus makes possible what is humanly impossible - a wealthy man getting through the needle’s eye! Zacchaeus saw Jesus’ face beaming with joy when he was willing to do reparations four times.  Then Jesus exclaimed: “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham” (19: 9).

Jesus was actually challenging everyone around him who believed that their genealogical connection with Abraham guaranteed them a place in heaven. It is not your birth which decides your salvation but your actions should also be compatible with your vocation. Here Zacchaeus comes into terms with the futility of having so much wealth (most of which from exploiting the people) and the lack of peace he really desired to have. Once he found the greatest of all the wealth i.e., having a personal relationship with Jesus, he is assured of everything else really needed in life. 

Zacchaeus challenges us greatly to look into our life to transform ourselves, to have a reencounter with Jesus. The noise, the crowd, the attractions and too much attachment to the world is preventing us from seeing Jesus. We may have to run like Zacchaeus. When we take the initiative Jesus will come on our way.

We are mistaken to think that we are tall enough for everything we do for our spiritual life. But we are too short - with our prayer life, faith life and in many other spiritual matters. Then we have to climb the tree for the rest of our life – to the tree of faith and the tree of prayer.

When we encounter the forgiveness of our loving God, we need to go for a confession. Jesus is waiting here for us to pour out everything in our mind before him. It is necessary for our spiritual cleansing. In our examination of conscience we have to realize the hurt we have caused to many people.

Now, in order to be with Jesus, we not only be giving up whatever is not helping us for our salvation, but also four times paying it back. Now on what is important for us is our relationship with Jesus. We have decided to walk with Jesus and nothing can prevent us from this exciting and joyful experience.  Jesus, please stay in my house for the rest of my life here on earth.

Zacchaeus Story II (Luke 19: 1 – 10)


The moment of transformation has begun in Zacchaeus’ life when Jesus told him that he will be staying with Zacchaeus. The social stigma and the scars of discrimination in condemning him as an untouchable (because of  his job as a tax collector) was deep rooted and now they have been completely removed in his first encounter with the Lord. As a public sinner until that time, he was seen a person unworthy of relating to any Jew, let alone God. He has been hated by many, at the same time, he also hated everyone. He could not forgive himself as his inner conscience haunted him for doing the traitor’s work of collecting tax for an oppressive foreign regime. Now he has been experiencing the forgiveness of the Lord and begins to forgive others and himself. He has realized that the love of God can wipe away the inner guilt created by his sinful way of living.

His search for a meaning in life has been fulfilled as he encounters the forgiving Lord. He knew that he was lacking something even when he had the wealth and health than most people in his neighborhood. Until now he thought having more in his life would make him happy. The rejection and loneliness he experienced in his workplace and home was getting to a point that he couldn’t face life anymore. Now he begins to realize that owning the one who owns everything is the only thing he might need in his life.

It was not a temporary stay Jesus meant when Jesus told Zacchaeus that he was going to stay with him; but a stay for the rest of his life. Zacchaeus was happy to open the door for the Lord so that he can enter into his life. He was happy that he could run from the crowd, the noise of the world and climb to the top of the tree. Those skills turned out to be life saving in a crucial moment when he faced the impossibility of experiencing and encountering Jesus.   

 

It was Jesus who came on his way as Zacchaeus made a little attempt and then Jesus changed his program for the day to stay with him. Zacchaeus tried to remember and recite all the forgotten prayers he learned as a little boy from the synagogue. Jesus just smiled even when Zacchaeus lost half of the Shema in his eagerness to impress Jesus. He rehearsed several times in his mind of what he has to say to the Lord when he would be in his house.

Zacchaeus asked one of Jesus’ disciples, Matthew, to go ahead of them and tell his family to open the gates of the house for Jesus and the crowd. He also reminded him to tell his family to put his bull dog (his name is Winston) in the cage as the dog is not used to the big crowd. Zacchaeus knew Matthew from work since he was very active in AITCA (All Israel Tax Collectors’ Association) until he left everything to follow Jesus. Zacchaeus’ wife panicked hearing the number of people coming to their house for dinner. She never had that many people at her home before, but she sent two of her children immediately to the Super Market to buy enough groceries to prepare meal for everyone.  Unlike previous dinner parties where only invited people of the same class attended, here comes a group of uninvited guests who seemed informal at the same time happier than most guests she ever had.

 

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd began to grumble seeing Jesus holding the hands of a sinner. He was supposed to go to their house, have dinner and stay for the day. The Pharisees also changed the course of their journey and turned away from Jesus (losers!!!). When Zacchaeus opened the gate in excitement it broke and fell because it has never been opened that wide, but he didn’t care. It was something he wanted to do for long, but couldn’t, until Jesus has taken possession of his house. What a blessing for a sinner who just expected to see the Lord on the way! His house has become the means for many to see Jesus. He doesn’t have to run anymore, he doesn’t have to climb anymore, because the Lord has come to his house. It was just the beginning of a long journey for Zacchaeus as he began to develop a personal relationship with Jesus.

(to be continued).

Zacchaeus Story (Luke 19: 1 – 10)

Jericho is a city located near the Jordan River in the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories. It is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world. In my Holy Land pilgrimage two years ago, I spent some time in the city and offered mass in the Catholic Church there.

I was fascinated by the story of Zacchaeus from my childhood onwards and visiting a place which had been immortalized by this story prompted me to make my own reflection of Zacchaeus encounter with Christ. I have twisted the story little bit using my imagination without losing the real meaning of the story.

It was his day off and Zacchaeus did not feel anything unusual that sunny summer day. He decided to go for an early afternoon walk in the street instead to the gym after the long nap. Nobody smiled at him seeing him in his gym dress because you are not supposed to smile at a tax collector. He didn’t expect it either. Nobody even greeted him because you can only hate a tax collector who is a traitor to the community. He didn’t care.

Suddenly he heard a noise in the street and saw the large crowd. He enquired the man at the end of the entourage on what is going on. “Don’t you know that Jesus is going this way to Jerusalem?” He replied in a contemptuous voice. Zacchaeus tried to recollect his memory of  Jesus: “Is he the one who loves the sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors” He asked. “Exactly” the man replied. “How can I see him today?” He asked. “Ha-ha...I don’t think you will ever be able to see Jesus, because you are too short!” Zacchaeus did not enjoy his humor but was quiet and thinking about finding a way to see Jesus. He realized that the large crowd is a hindrance for him to see Jesus. He decided to run – run away from the crowd. It was easy for him because he was in his tennis shoes!

He ran fast and found the Sycamore tree by the side of the road. It was a large tree with full of leaves. It wasn’t easy for him to climb the tree because he was too short!  But was happy that he could hide there and nobody would notice him. From there he saw Jesus in the middle of the crowd surrounded by his disciples. The light emanating from his glorious look surrounded the area. Zacchaeus could not take his eyes from Jesus. He was so excited, happy and he never expected that he would ever encounter this man in his life. For some reason he had developed an admiration and love for Jesus from the talk of the market, where people gossiped about everything.

As Jesus was nearing the tree Zacchaeus’ heart began to beat. But he was relieved to know that nobody would see him because he was too short and he could hide safely on the Sycamore tree! But it was a mistaken belief! Jesus stopped when he reached exactly the place Zacchaeus was hiding. The crowd went silent when Jesus looked straight to the tree. They did not see anything, but Jesus saw everything – the whole life of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus became pale and nervous. He wanted to tell the crowd to move on but words did not come out of his mouth. Then Jesus spoke with a smile on his face. “Zacchaeus” - That gentle call came to his ears like a roaring thunder. He realized that the Lord is calling him. That sound penetrated through his heart in to his being. It was the invitation and vocation to become a disciple of the Lord. “Come down” the Lord continued…Zacchaeus suddenly came into his senses knowing that he was too short but placing himself too high. It is the Lord who has come down to your level… “…for I am going to stay with you”. Zacchaeus could not believe what he was hearing. The Lord is coming to my house… what I should do now… there is not much time to think... It took a long time for him to climb the tree, but took only few seconds to come down. He had bruises in his body as he came down quickly… but he didn’t care because the Lord is going to stay with him.

(to be continued)