Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

Getting Rightside Up

Outline

It is clear that if you read the Scriptures that our world is and thinks upside down

The world around us is constantly “trusting in human beings, making flesh their strength,” whether it be a particular President, Prime Minister, Supreme Court justice, or military leader.

That puts our strength in flesh and, while sometimes using the name of God, whether it be Jesus or Allah or some other deity, the methods are far from the methods of Jesus and the Apostles

In the end the trust is in force or violence or the threat of death, even if it be the slow death of prison

In the long term it always fails, “a barren bush in the wasteland”

But death has no power over us if we grasp the gospel with our hearts

The heart of the Gospel is that that very Christ who was crucified has been raised from the dead and that because his followers are joined to him death likewise has no power over them.

“They are like a tree planed beside the waters.”

The martyrs already enjoy life and will enjoy the same bodily life that Jesus does

As a result we are called to reprogram our lives according to the program of Jesus

Pope Francis says that every Christian should have a gospel on them at all times, read it on breaks, and especially read the beatitudes daily.

That is reprogramming.

Who is truly happy?

Not those luxuriating in possessions and pleasure, but the poor, the mourning, the hungry, the weeping, those who are hated because of their identification with Jesus.

Notice first that this whole discourse is address to his disciples, those who followed him, “you who are . .

.”

Notice second that these characteristics are all found in Jesus’ life, for he was poor, mourned over Jerusalem and seemingly Judas, to give two examples, was hungry (his feeding miracles are all for others), wept at times over others, and was obviously hated.

This is identification with Jesus.

The gospel of Jesus is no prosperity gospel.

But the commitment to and identification with Jesus finds its fulfillment in the kingdom, in the satisfaction of one’s greatest desires in the coming age, in the joy of Jesus’ presence.

Of course, we do get foretastes now.

The reprogramming includes our mourning

We may tend to get angry at the rich and famous and comfortable and honored of this age, but, if you do, ask God to open your eyes

Even the Old Testament could say, “Man cannot abide in his pomp [or riches], he is like the beasts that perish.”

Jesus says, “Woe . .

.”

And then he goes on to say that they are receiving all they will receive now and with death, if not before, it all evaporates.

If we get the heart of Jesus we mourn when we see the glittering entertainment, sports, political, or other leaders of this age - that’s all they have folks, and it could be gone tomorrow.

Scott Hahn describes one of the Avignon Popes who luxuriated with gold and fine food and lay on a bed of ermine fur - God alone knows the state of his soul, but we know he left it all behind and history does not treat him kindly, especially in his effect on the Church

Sisters, the Pope’s advice is biblical advice

Read the Gospels over and over; especially read the beatitudes over and over

Let Jesus reprogram your minds

Then we will be living in the quiet anticipated joy of the kingdom and mourning over those who are truly in a woeful state of which they are ignorant and rejoicing in the future that we look forward to with Jesus, the one whose suffering we join with in this world today.

Then our minds, at least, will be rightside up.

Readings

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 17:5–8

5 Thus says the LORD:

Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,

who makes flesh his strength,

whose heart turns away from the LORD.

6 He is like a barren bush in the wasteland

that enjoys no change of season,

But stands in lava beds in the wilderness,

a land, salty and uninhabited.

7 Blessed are those who trust in the LORD;

the LORD will be their trust.

8 They are like a tree planted beside the waters

that stretches out its roots to the stream:

It does not fear heat when it comes,

its leaves stay green;

In the year of drought it shows no distress,

but still produces fruit.

RESPONSE

Psalm 40:5a

5 Blessed the man who sets

his security in the LORD,

who turns not to the arrogant

or to those who stray after falsehood.

PSALM

Psalm 1:1–4, 6

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk

in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the way of sinners,

nor sit in company with scoffers.

2 Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy;

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree

planted near streams of water,

that yields its fruit in season;

Its leaves never wither;

whatever he does prospers.

4 But not so are the wicked, not so!

They are like chaff driven by the wind.

6 Because the LORD knows the way of the just,

but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.

SECOND READING

1 Corinthians 15:12, 16–20

12 But if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

16 For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

18 Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.

20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Luke 6:23ab

23 Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!

Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.

GOSPEL

Luke 6:17, 20–26

17 And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground.

A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon

20 And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,

for the kingdom of God is yours.

21 Blessed are you who are now hungry,

for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who are now weeping,

for you will laugh.