Among these teachings, we highlight here the catechesis on the BeatitudesThe new project, completed just this May, is the first of its kind. They are, says Francisco, "the way to reach joy".The path is a beautiful and safe way to understand the happiness that the Lord proposes to us.
Beatitudes, identity card of the Christian
The Beatitudes," the Pope pointed out at the beginning of his catechesis, "are the most important of the Beatitudes. are the identity card of the Christian, "because they delineate the face of Jesus himself, his way of life.". It is a message addressed to the disciples, but on the horizon of the multitude, that is, of the whole of humanity.
Just as Moses promulgated "the Law" of the Commandments on Mount Sinai, on this new "mountain" (a somewhat elevated piece of land near Lake Gennesaret), Jesus proclaims these "new commandments," which are more like eight paths to happiness.
Each of them begins with the exhortation "Blessed" (which means blessed), followed by the situation in which they find themselves and why they are indeed blessed: because of a gift of God that they receive (a passive future is usually used: they will be consoled, satiated or forgiven, they will be children of God, etc.), precisely in that humanly difficult or costly situation. They therefore entail a paradox or contradiction.
Be poor people of spirit is the human condition
In the first beatitude they are presented, according to the Gospel of St. Matthew, the poor in spirit. These are - Francisco points out - "those who are and feel poor, mendicant, in their innermost being".. Each one of us should really realize that it is "radically incomplete and vulnerable". Moreover, we must seek poverty - the detachment from material goods, using only what is necessary - in order to be truly free with Christ and like him.
They are blessed are those who mourn for the death and suffering of others or for one's own sins; not so much for having "failed" but for "not having loved" God or others sufficiently. This is where, the Pope observes, the "gift of tears" and the beauty of repentance. God always forgives, but we are the ones who get tired of asking for forgiveness, we close in on ourselves and do not want to be forgiven. That is why we must open ourselves to his mercy and compassion and learn from him in order to treat others in the same way: "to love with a smile, with closeness, with service and also with tears.".
By preaching that they are blessed are the meekJesus presents us with his own meekness, manifested above all in his passion. In Scripture, meekness is linked to the lack of land, because the latter is often the source of conflict. Jesus promises the meek that "shall inherit the earth"because this earth is presented to us as a gift from God that prefigures the definitive "new earth" which is Heaven.
That is why Francis points out that the meek person is not the one who is content and does not make an effort, but the other way around: the one who defends "the land" of his peace, of his dealings with God. And for this reason "meek people are merciful, fraternal, trusting and hopeful people".. On the other hand, the one who gets angry loses peace and control, loses his relationship with his brothers and sisters and loses unity with them. Meekness is therefore a "land to conquer": the "land" of peace and fraternity.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for it is as vital and daily a requirement as food. The hunger for justice in the human heart is a reflection of the yearning for the deeper justice that comes from God (cf. Mt 5:20; 1 Cor 1:30). From this springs the desire for union with God, the restlessness and yearning to know and love him (cf. Ps 63:2; St. Augustine, Confessions 1, 1, 5). A desire that is also at the heart of every desire for love and tenderness.
We are all called - and perhaps the pandemic crisis we are experiencing can open our eyes to this - to discover what we really need, the good that is essential to us and what other secondary things we can do without.
We cannot afford to be without mercy
The sixth beatitude -Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy- is the only one in which the cause and the fruit of true happiness coincide. And this is so because, observes the successor of Peter, "mercy is the very heart of God." (cf. Lk 6:37; James 2:13; and especially Mt 6:12-15, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2838).
Our experience is that forgiveness is sometimes as difficult for us as it is for those who "climbing a towering mountain"impossible without God's help. But we need to be merciful, to forgive, to be patient. Well, considering what God's forgiveness is like for us, his mercy, we can learn to be merciful (cf. Lk 6:36).
– Supernatural mercyFrancisco once again affirms, is "the center of the Christian life", "the only true goal of every spiritual journey", "one of the most beautiful fruits of charity". (cfr. St. John Paul II, Dives in misericordiaFrancisco, Misericordae Vultus y Misericordia et misera; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1829).
At this point Francisco recalls his first Angelus as Pope: "That day I felt so strongly that this is the message I must give, as Bishop of Rome: mercy, mercy, please forgive.". And now he adds: "God's mercy is our liberation and our happiness. We live on mercy and we cannot afford to be without mercy: it is the air to breathe."
The seventh beatitude links purity of heart -the inner space where a person is most himself or herself - to the vision of God. The reason is that the origin of blindness is a foolish and dull heart that leaves no room for God. Only if that heart is freed from its delusions can it "see" God, even in some way in this life: to recognize his providence and his presence, especially in the most needy brothers and sisters, in the poor and in those who suffer. But we must not forget that this is a work of God in us, who also makes use of the purifications and trials of this life.
Peace of Christ; not false assurances
The last beatitude has to do with peace which is the fruit of the Lord's death and resurrection. Peace, therefore, is not simply the inner tranquility of a drowsy conscience. The peace of Christ, on the other hand, stirs us up from our false assurances to bring us to that peace that only He can give us. It is peace incarnated in the saints who have always found new ways to love. That is the way to happiness.
In the last beatitude, the Kingdom of Heaven is promised to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, that is, for seeking a life according to God, even if they encounter rejection and opposition from those who do not wish to leave sin and the "structures of sin" (idolatry of money, greed, corruption, etc.).
But, be careful," Francisco warns us, "this does not mean that we should let ourselves be carried away by a self-pitying victimhood; because sometimes it is we ourselves-Christians-who are guilty of being despised because we have abandoned the true spirit of Christ. On the other hand, St. Paul was happy and joyful because he was persecuted (cf. Col 1:24). Following the way of Jesus Christ leads to the greatest and truest joy, supported and impelled by the Holy Spirit.
The Pope also pointed out - at another time - that the pandemic has been able to teach us that "there are no differences or boundaries between those who suffer: we are all fragile, equal and valuable".. And that is why it is already "time to eliminate inequalities, to repair the injustice that undermines at the root the health of all mankind" (Homily on Mercy Sunday, 19-IV-2020).
