# The sermon on the mount
*2015-11-04*

> Bill Young shares a reading of one of Jesus' greatest teachings, found in Matthew 5 through 7, reflecting on the call to a higher righteousness.

## A Setting for the Word

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young, and welcome to the Prayer N Lunch podcast. Today we're going to do something a little bit different; we're going to be doing a Bible reading. We will be looking at one of the great sermons that Jesus ever gave: the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapters 5 through 7.

This reminded me of something from about a month ago during our archdiocesan picnic. It was a family event given by our Archbishop Thomas Wenski, which happened to be his birthday that day. Bishop Wenski celebrated Mass for us before the picnic began. We gathered on a big hill with a lot of trees for shade. It felt similar to the Sermon on the Mount—everyone gathered under the shade of the trees while Jesus stood on top of the hill, giving His sermon.

## The Beatitudes and the Light of the World

Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'

He told them, 'Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evils against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.' He reminded them that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor a lamp put under a bushel. He urged them to let their light shine before others so that they may see their good works and give glory to their Father who is in heaven.

## Fulfilling the Law and the Call to Righteousness

Jesus explained that He came not to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them. He warned that unless our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. He took the commandments further, teaching that anger toward a brother is a matter for judgment and that lust in the heart is adultery. He emphasized the importance of reconciliation, telling us that if we remember a brother has something against us while offering a gift at the altar, we should first go and be reconciled.

He spoke on the sanctity of marriage and the importance of truth, instructing us to let our 'yes' be 'yes' and our 'no' be 'no.' He challenged the notion of 'an eye for an eye,' instead calling us to not resist the evil one, to turn the other cheek, and to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, just as the Heavenly Father sends rain on the just and the unjust.

## Sincerity in Prayer and Almsgiving

Jesus warned against practicing piety before men to be seen by them. Whether giving alms, praying, or fasting, He taught that these acts should be done in secret. He cautioned against the empty phrases of the Gentiles, reminding us that the Father knows what we need before we ask. He then gave us the model for prayer: 'Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'

He reminded us that if we do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will our Father forgive us. He also urged us not to lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust consume, but to lay up treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

## Trust in Providence and the Narrow Gate

Jesus told us not to be anxious about our lives—what we shall eat, drink, or wear. He pointed to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God's providence, noting that we are far more valuable than they. 'Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these shall be yours as well.'

He cautioned against judging others, noting the hypocrisy of seeing a speck in a brother's eye while ignoring the log in one's own. He encouraged us to ask, seek, and knock, promising that the Father gives good things to those who ask Him. He summarized the law and prophets with the golden rule: 'Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.'

Finally, He spoke of the narrow gate that leads to life and the danger of false prophets. He warned that not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom, but only he who does the will of His Father. He compared the one who hears and acts on these words to a wise man who builds his house upon the rock, which stands firm against the rain and floods, while the one who does not act is like a foolish man who builds upon the sand.

*True faith is found not in outward displays of piety, but in a heart that seeks the kingdom first and puts the words of Christ into practice.*