Blessed are the ...

In Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount, Luke offers a series of contrasts.  Blessed are the poor, mourning, and sorrowful.  Woe to those who laugh and enjoy themselves today, because in the Kingdom they will find anguish.  Luke is not suggesting that we avoid enjoyment in life, but on a larger scale, if we are disciples, we have to accept the fact that there will be pain and suffering as we faithfully live a life of faith.  Commitment to Christ is a lifestyle whereas we struggle with Sin and Evil; striving for what is right and good.

The other evening while at our grade school's 'back to school' night, I realized how few of the parents I knew.  For the most part these were strangers to me.  It was really sort of sad that I have never seen these families at church, parish functions, or even at the school's social functions.  A problem that we seem to have today is that faith is defined narrowly by sacramental moments.  It seems to be an understanding that presenting ourselves for the sacraments, occasionally being present for a liturgical or para-liturgical event, is akin to practicing one's faith.

An article in the America magazine suggests that pesons, specifically youth, who find a sense of holiness in works of charity, scripture, and the occasional Mass attendance, even though they struggle with the 'official' Church, are living a life of faith.  I find some truth in that.  I have met folks whose lives are directed towards 'God-like' things, who really want to believe and have a relationship with Jesus.  And while not the poster-child of catholocism, their faith seems more lively than those who treat faith like the local gas station/minimart. 

Mark's Gospel gives such a rich image of the disciples in their wanderings and misunderstandings.  And yet they will ask the question, "To whom shall we  go, you have the words of eternal life."  Discipleship is a process of becoming.  Maybe we need to, like St. Paul advises, be patient with those whose faith is weak.  More so those whio have a strong and deternined faith must make it their aim to be living examples of faithfulness, and challenge those who simply live on the surface.

While we are not called to be mystics, we are called to discipleship.  We are challenged to recognize the Kingdom and make it present in our midst.  It requires a depth and a journey and a vision of where we need to go.