Dare to be Misunderstood
By Steve Martin
This Sunday’s Old Testament reading draws our attention to the commandments which were given through Moses to God’s chosen people. They are part of the covenant between God and Israel.1 These were given to reveal how God expects man to respond to His loving initiative. To live out the commandments is to cooperate “with the plan God pursues in history.”2
This provides a good foundation for us to finish our reflection on the Beatitudes. If we stay within the boundaries God has set in The Ten Commandments, the world around us will often misunderstand, discriminate against and test us. If we move beyond the commandments and begin to boldly live out beatitude faith, we will surely face even stronger harassment and persecution.
In the final beatitude Jesus made this point clear in very straightforward language. “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”3 Does this mean Jesus is calling us to seek out opportunities to be persecuted? Is He teaching us that it is good to be mistreated and unfairly judged?
That is most certainly not the point. The point is this. If we choose to stay faithful to Christ, there are times when that choice will require much courage. We must be willing to struggle against all resistance to God’s grace working in our lives.
According to the Navarre Bible, “blessed is he who suffers persecution for being true to Jesus Christ and who does so not only patiently but joyfully. Circumstances arise in a Christian’s life that call for heroism – where no compromise is admissible: either one stays true to Jesus Christ whatever the cost in terms of reputation, life or possessions, or one denies him.”4
What is the ultimate desire of our hearts? Is it pleasing God or pleasing men? Do we desire to be poor in spirit? Do we know the blessing of those who mourn? Are we willing to be meek? Do we hunger and thirst for righteousness? Are we merciful? Is our heart pure? Do we seek to be peacemakers? Will we suffer persecution patiently and joyfully for Christ when necessary?
These are tough questions. They confront our sin and weakness. They challenge us to recognize our need for God’s sanctifying grace. Without grace it is impossible to live as Jesus calls us to.
Before we get too discouraged and throw up our hands in defeat, let us hear again the words of Jesus Christ. “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”5
Living our faith is daring. Beatitude faith will cause many to misunderstand our actions and our words. Are we willing to stand for Jesus even at great cost? May the God of all power and might give us fortitude and prudence to say… Amen… we will dare to be misunderstood!
1Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 2060 2 Catechism of the Catholic Church n. 2062
3 New American Bible, Gospel of Matthew 5:10 4 The Navarre Bible, pg. 50
5 New American Bible, Gospel of Matthew 19:26b