Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Active Blessedness

Have you noticed that the Beatitudes are expressed passively? Today I was reading and reflecting on the Beatitudes and discovered that in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, the original word for Blessed was ASHRAY, from the verb YASHAR. ASHRAY does not have a passive quality to it at all. Instead, it means “to set yourself on the right way for the right goal; to turn around, repent; to become straight or righteous.” One writer’s understanding led to the translation: Get up, go ahead, do something, move. If you are hungry and thirsty for justice, go ahead, do something, move! Working for justice requires action, not passivity. Get up, do something, move, you peacemakers.

One of the ways that we become merciful, is to practice mercy, compassion, and understanding. We often learn what it means to mourn by accompanying those who are grieving. We learn to understand what racism is when we listen, when we read, when we befriend, when we can admit our prejudices.

In the synod (another word for listening and active participation) process now beginning in our parish, we have the opportunity to practice “living as a listening Church.” Listening, learning, and understanding lead us to action. Thoughts and prayers are good; they are not enough. If we imagine Jesus speaking to us today in a modern-day “sermon on the mount,” what is he asking of us? What would it look like “to get up, go ahead, do something, move”?

In another section of this newsletter, you will find an invitation to one of many listening sessions at St. Francis. Please read, study, and reflect on the ten themes identified for our discussion. Then come and talk to others to discover how our “being blessed” at St. Francis is inviting us to walk together better, to move in the direction the Holy Spirit is guiding and enlightening. Be blessed! Be bold! Go ahead, move!