Mr. Hammond’s Chapel Reflection Podcast – October 28, 2009 – Jesus’ message of Love
Teachers and parents, I am very pleased to hear that you are using these reflections as a way of engaging in a common conversation with students and children. It is powerful when we, together, reinforce the same messages of faith, love and truth. For those who wish to know more about the Gospel reflections, don’t hesitate to email me. I would be happy to assist you. You can listen to my October 28th Chapel Reflection here or you can read a transcript below.
Blessings,
Steve
Key Learning Points:
1. Jesus is the “new” Moses. He takes to the old law and looks at it from a different “frame,” a different “lens.” Jesus can see things from varying perspectives.
2. He understands that we, as human beings, are drawn to positive pictures, we are drawn to what is good, we seek what is true and beautiful. Our motivation as human beings comes from seeking what we want. In these the Beatitudes, Jesus does not say that we are going to be punished if we don’t do these things. He states what we will attain if we do. He comes at life not through threat and fear, but through a commitment to love, beauty and truth…. which is ultimately what we all want.
3. The Beatitudes are the “new” Commandments. They don’t take the place of the old ten Commandments they are simply another way of looking at them. And again, Jesus, turns the old ten commandments on their head and looks at them in a fresh, new, positive way.
4. The evangelist, Matthew, is speaking to the Jewish community. He understands that Jesus is the Messiah and is helping the Jewish community to see and understand that. Only the Messiah could speak with this authority and deep understanding.
Teaching tool: Golf club. Jesus is our “recovery club” that gets us out of the bad lies in rough places. The club is very forgiving, so use it and swing away!
Let’s take a look at the individual Beatitudes and look deeper into what Jesus asked us to do as his followers.
God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!
In two sentences, Jesus gives us a road map to heaven. Give yourself to God. Totally and unconditionally. If you do this and you make the choice that your behavior is totally at God’s will, he will direct you in good and holy ways. We often saying, “here I am Lord, I’ve come to into your will. Take as many what pleases you. Here I am, here I am, Lord.” If you commit to this and pray for it… and mean it… heaven will be yours.
But you must pray and listen for God’s direction.
God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!
Often times, we need God the most when we are in pain, not feeling well, sad. God wants us to call upon him during these times. God sent us Jesus to show us that pain is temporary and that if we trust in him can lead as to redemption and salvation. Remember that Jesus suffered more than any of us will.
God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them.
I believe this is one of the most powerful Beatitudes. Because it gets at the heart of how to be happy. If we do not let our egos get in the way; if we can learn to see differences as beautiful; if we can learn to see the grace in each other, if we can build each other up….. and do all this without feeling slighted or threatened, and, in fact, be joyful about it… this lovely humility leads us to happiness. Another way to say this might be… “be a grace in each other’s life.” Be the grace you are seeking. Be the beauty you desire.
God blesses those people who wish to obey him more than they wish to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!
This beatitude is a lot like the first. If we depend upon God totally and unconditionally, then we most often will obey him. But it takes a couple of things: we must pray, we must listen, then we must obey. If in your prayers, you asked God to show you the way, you will be shown the way. If we desire God’s love more than anything else in the world, we will feel God’s love in the most amazing ways and be confident every day that we are only road to heaven.
God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
Mercy looks different at different ages. As a kindergartner Mercy looks different from that as a 13-year-old or a 30-year-old. But they all have one thing in common. And that is restraint. Mercy is a response to an action that has offended us. When we choose not to retaliate because of an offense to us or others, we show mercy. This does not mean not setting boundaries. We must have boundaries in our lives, those things that we will not allow others to do to us or for us. Mercy does mean that we will not exact revenge.
God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see him!
Jesus is telling us to “keep it simple.” Up your heart means one that is filled with love. Pure means there is not a lot of impure stuff floating around. Keeping a pure heart is simply not allowing impure stuff to come into it. That is, not allowing vengeance, retaliation, jealousy, unkind thoughts, anger and hate and all the other nasty stuff in human life to come in our hearts… in the first place. Close the door of your hearts of those things you know shouldn’t come in.
God blesses those who make peace. They will be called his children!
We make peace or avoid conflict by treating each other with profound respect. We make peace by negotiating differences. When we have a problem with someone, we talk about it and work out a settlement. We asked them what do you want? Is what we are doing, working for us in our relationship? What can we do to have a better relationship? Many of you are in a position to help others solve their conflicts and disagreements. I consider this to be one of the greatest abilities and traits that you have.
And here are the last two beatitudes. They are similar.
God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven.
God blesses you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven.
You can’t go wrong, doing right. But sometimes people will not understand you and they may insult, criticize, blame and complain about you because of a host of reasons (jealousy, ambition, revenge, spite, etc.) Do the right thing anyway.
When you do the right thing, don’t lord it over people. Don’t be showy about it. Don’t brag about it. Just do it! Quietly, humbly, with good cheer. And do it in the name of Jesus. Don’t miss that point, now. We are following the Way…..of Jesus, who is the Way and who shows us the way to conversion, salvation and heaven. At the end of the day, if you do this, the kingdom of heaven is yours!
