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 4^th Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

The Beatitudes: Paths to True Happiness

Readings: Zeph 2:3, 3:12—13; 1Cor 1:26-31; Mk 5:1-12a

Dear friends in Christ, the readings of today point us toward the paths that lead to true happiness—happiness in this life and eternal happiness in the life to come. The desire for happiness drives human aspirations, decisions, and sacrifices. People work tirelessly, often losing sleep, because they long for a secure and joyful future. In today’s Gospel, Matthew presents Jesus as a teacher of the Way, seated on a small hill, teaching His listeners the true paths that lead to the happiness their hearts long for.

In the first reading, the prophet Zephaniah speaks of the qualities of those who will be spared on the day of destruction. Zephaniah was a prophet who emphasized the doom awaiting the wicked people of Judah. Yet, in the midst of his warnings, he also affirmed that not everyone would perish—some would be spared. These remnants of Judah were called “blessed” because of the virtues they possessed. They sought justice, humility, truth, and righteousness. While others would groan in pain on the day of destruction, these virtuous ones would rejoice, for they would not be marked for destruction.

In today’s Gospel on the Beatitudes, Jesus expands this teaching by describing the qualities of those who will find true happiness—not only in this world, but in the eternal kingdom. He outlines the values and attitudes needed to enter this everlasting home of joy: poverty of spirit, hunger and thirst for justice, compassion, meekness, mercy, integrity, peace-making, and the willingness to suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness.

The word ‘beatitude’ comes from the Latin ‘beatitudo’, meaning blessedness, divine joy, or perfect happiness. Christ was essentially telling His disciples, “If you desire true happiness, be poor in spirit; hunger and thirst for what is right; be compassionate and meek; be a peacemaker and a person of integrity; and be willing to suffer for the sake of goodness. Embrace these virtues. Live them daily.”

If we were to survey opinions in today’s world about what leads to happiness, the qualities listed in the Beatitudes would hardly appear. Many would say happiness comes from having large bank accounts, exotic cars, luxurious homes, expensive food and wine, attractive partners, high political positions, job promotions, nightly entertainment, or the ability to travel anywhere at will. It may surprise many that none of these things appeared on Christ’s list of true happiness. This teaches us that lasting happiness cannot come from things that do not last. True and enduring happiness does not come from material or fleeting pleasures, but from possessing what is eternal—God Himself. Our true happiness comes when we possess God and His kingdom, and Christ gives us the dispositions needed to attain this. He is not condemning the good things of this world, but He warns that possessing material comforts without the virtues of the Beatitudes leads only to the destruction Zephaniah foretold.

In essence, the Beatitudes fulfil and complete the Ten Commandments. While the Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai present a series of prohibitions—things we must not do—Jesus presents the Beatitudes positively, as virtues we must cultivate to receive the reward of salvation. One of Matthew’s aims in his Gospel is to show Jesus as the Messiah foretold by the prophets, the One who fulfils the Law and the Prophets. In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew presents Jesus not only as a new Moses, but as one greater than Moses. Just as Moses ascended the mountain to receive the Commandments and give Israel the Law, Jesus ascends the mountain, sees the crowd, and gives the new Law to the new people of God. Obedience to the Commandments led Israel to the Promised Land; obedience to Christ’s teaching in the Beatitudes leads Christians—the new Israel—to the kingdom of God.

Let us now reflect more deeply on what the Beatitudes—the new laws of Christ—ask of us.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaims the poor in spirit blessed. It means poverty of spirit is the path to true happiness. We are poor in spirit when we trust God as our ultimate source of security, when we recognise our need for Him, when we surrender our plans to His will, and when we repent sincerely of our sins. We are poor in spirit when we hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Jesus also tells us that to be happy we must be meek—gentle. We are meek when we surrender ourselves to God instead of becoming aggressive or demanding. True meekness is the ability to be rightly angry at sin and injustice, but never at people.

Jesus says we are blessed when we hunger and thirst for what is right. To be righteous is to do God’s will. We hunger for righteousness when we respect others deeply and treat them with dignity. Jesus wants us to help those who have been abused regain their dignity. It is providential that the Bishops of Italy invite us today to give priority to children, especially those who are victims of war, violence, abuse, exploitation, indifference, and abandonment. This must be part of our mission this year.

Jesus also promises happiness to the merciful. He calls us to forgive unconditionally and to ask forgiveness for the wrongs we have done. A merciful heart is essential for peace and joy. When we hold grudges, we cannot be free or happy. Let us therefore forgive and be merciful.

Jesus says the pure in heart are blessed. Purity of heart means sincerity, honesty, and moral integrity. The pure in heart do not deceive others. They will see God face to face on the last day.

Jesus also blesses the peacemakers. A peacemaker works actively for reconciliation, is willing to forgive, to let go, and to help others resolve conflicts with love. We are called not only to live peacefully but to help others live in peace—beginning in our families and Christian communities.

Finally, Jesus says we are blessed when we are persecuted for our faith and for living a good life. He calls us to follow His example and that of the apostles who suffered for the truth. We must not renounce our faith in difficult times, nor be ashamed to stand for what is right, even if we stand alone. Today Christians face many forms of persecution. Jesus invites us to overcome them with steadfastness.

May the Beatitudes guide our daily choices and lead us to the eternal happiness God desires for us.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima