GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
THE OPENING OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Matthew 5,1-16
Setting the Scene: Mt 5,1-2
Earlier we noted that there is continuity between 4,25 and 5,1. What is the common word? How does one lead into the other?
What is the significance of the mountain - see Exodus 19,20. Who is speaking in Exodus and who is speaking here in Matthew?
To whom is Jesus speaking? We touched on this earlier when we looked at 7,28. Yet there is another group here: how are the two linked? To whom is the Sermon really addressed?
Why does Jesus sit down - and how is this linked with verse 2?
Now take a first look at my response.
THE BEATITUDES: Mt 5,3-12
The Beatitudes could be said to be to the New Testament what the Ten Commandments are to the Old Testament. We've already looked at Exodus 19,20 so now continue from there and read the Ten Commandments (Ex 20,1-7). Consider just how different are the Beatitudes and why this should be so.
Now read the Beatitudes with the introduction in several translations (5,1-12) Include the Jerusalem Bible translation used at Mass. Note the differences which hopefully will already give us an agenda for our reading.
In particular, look for the key phrase linking the first (5,3) and eighth beatitude (5,10) and the key word linking the fourth (5,6) and eighth beatitude (5,10). Is there a distinction between the first four and second four beatitudes?
Look now at Luke 6,20-23, especially verse 20. Note the difference between the Beatitudes of Luke and Matthew.
Now look at my response.
Background to the Beatitudes
The Beatitudes are deeply rooted in the Old Testament. Jesus teaches largely in continuity with traditional teachings but usually adding a twist which makes those teachings more radical. We look to the OT therefore for the background, beginning with the idea of "Blessing" itself.
These blessings in the Old Testament are used to describe a way of life, living wisely brings a sense of harmony and fulfillment (eg Prov 3,13 or Psalm 1). The question for your consideration in comparing the Beatitudes of Matthew with those of the OT is the extent to which the blessing is already available in the present or whether it will be given in the future.
Consider how Jesus himself lives the beatitudes in these references (fit the reference to a beatitude): 3,15; 9,27; 11,29; 15,22; 17,15; 21,5; 27,19; 26-27.
From this consider how Isaiah 61,1-7 provides a background for the Beatitudes.
Take a look at my response.
A Look at Each Beatitude
As we go thorugh the Beatitdues, we will take a particular interest in the Old Testament background.
5,3: "poor in spirit": see Is 61,1. What is the effect of adding "in spirit" (see Luke 6,20)?
For "the kingdom of heaven" see 4,17.
5,4: for mourners see Is 61,2-4 and Sirach 48,24. What does mourning mean in this context? Who does the comforting?
5,5: for the meek see Ps 37,11.29. What is the land they will inherit (Apoc 21,1, Mt 19,27-28)?
5,6: Psalm 107,8-9 provides a suitable background. How is this beatitude a summary of the preceeding beatitudes?
Coming now to the second group of four beatitudes:
5,7: for mercy look at Exodus 34,6 and Hosea 6,6. Who provides the mercy in the second half of the beatitude?
5,8; "pure in heart" looks to Psalm 24,3-4. How do we understand "seeing God": Ps 42,2 and Is 6,8. Helpful here is to consider the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17,1.
5,9: peacemakers, the hebrew "shalom", see Mt 10,12-13. There is a background in passages like Prov 10,10; Ps 72,7; Isaiah 52,7.
5,10: The eighth beatitude (5,10) echoes 5,6 and 5,3 as we have seen. Two of the three elements in this beatitude have already been present in the beatitudes. What does this tell us about the new element, persecution?
The theme of persecution is then picked up in the ninth beatitude in a different way. There was a strong tradition of prophets being persecuted as seen in 2 Chronicles 36,16. Look as well at the prophet Micaiah in 1 Kings 22. Consider how the disciples are to be like their master (20,17-28).
Look now at my response.
Salt and Light: Mt 5,13-16
As we have noted already, these two sayings are linked to the last Beatitude because they too are addressed to "you". How does the last Beatitude flow into these two sayings? How do these two sayings provide a transition from the Beatitudes to all that follows?
A third image in these verses is sometimes added as another image for the disciples. Why do I exclude it?
What do salt and light have in common? A bit of a teaser maybe but worth considering.
Salt in 5,13 is the less obvious of the two images. Note the difference between the use of the image by Matthew and Mark (Mk 9,50).
Job 6,6 ahd Leviticus 2,13 provide some background.
References to light by contrast exist in abundance. Consider why Isaiah 2,2-5 may be the background for this saying. See also Is 42,6 and Is 49,6.
Look too to 4,16 and then John 8,12.
Look at my response.
The Sunday Gospel
This introduction is read over two Sundays, first the Beatitudes and then Salt and Light. This is somewhat unfortunate given that we have stressed the unity of the passage.
The Beatitudes, Mt 5,1-12, form the Gospel for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
They are also frequently read at Mass throughout the year. Consider their importance for All Saints Day, 1st November.
The Old Testament passage chosen for the 4th Sunday is Zephaniah 2,3; 3,12-13. Read the passage in your Bibles and note how the reading has been edited. How does this passage help our reflections on the Beatitudes?
The two sayings on salt and light, Mt 5,13-16 then form the Gospel for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The OT passage chosen to accompany these sayings is taken from Isaiah, Is 58,7-10. Read the whole chapter to see the theme which has been omitted. How does this passage comment on this Gospel?
Lookat my response.
We are now ready to move on to the opening of the body of the sermon, Mt 5,17-20.