Luke’s gospel is often noted for its focus on mercy, with some going so far as to call it the “Gospel of Mercy”
Yet here, in Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain – while while there are four beatitudes – it does not seem so happy - we also hear – “Woe to you” four times – “Woe to you” – It does not exactly sound merciful -
This is made even harder when one considers what these four beatitudes and woes actually say - it seems contrary to what what God would want – beatitudes for poor, hunger, suffering, and persecuted.
These are things which are bad, evil, things we rightly do not want nor what for others - we are told that we should alleviate poverty, feed the hunger, comfort those who weep, and should persecute no one – great ministrys, it seem bizarre to call these blessed.
And against theses beatitudes – four “Woes.” “Woes” for for having enough money to live a comfortable life, having sufficient food, laughter, and getting along with one’s neighbor – this does not seem like Mercy, these seem like reasonable things to desire – things we should want people to have – Where is God’s Mercy in this Sermon on the Plain?
“I set before you the way of life and the way of death” – These words were told by by the Lord to the prophet Jermiah – two ways – the “Way of Life” – the “Way of Death” – A motif that runs thorugh scripture - the law in Dueteronmy - the prophets - the book of proverbs - and the motif runs strait into the early second century and the didache – It is this theme of two ways that Jesus is using – the four beatitudes are the “Way of Life” – the four Woes the “Way of Death” – Yet this still does not answer why the “Woes”, why the “way of Death”? and how is God’s Mercy here?
But – Who is causing the “Woe”s? Is it God? Or is the person themselves? - Jesus says “Woe to you” but He does not say the cause of the “Woe” – perhaps the “Woe to you” is a consequence of actions, not a condemnation of God – a consequence of following the “Way of Death” – While there may be nothing wrong per se with money, food, laughter, or praise – they are not ends in the themselves – if they become the goal, they are idols that if pursued alone really do destroy the soul.
This fits experience – if one looks for consolation in money – consolation will not be found. Many wealthy people are miserable. There might be nothing wrong with money – buy money does not bring happiness or consoluation, that is found in God. While this is true of wealth gotten through dishonest means, even someone who has earned all is wealth honestly by hard work, if money does not bring happiness in the end, no one who is dying says “I wish I worked more hours to make more money” - the problem is not money, but looking for consolation in it, for that can only come from God.
In a similar way, food, laughter, and praise can become idols. None of these are bad, but they can become so if they are treated as if they were God. Laughter at the misfornute of others can tear someone a way from the community - isolated and alone they will grieve and weep. If someone is always seeking praise, they will lose what matters, for they say what people want to hear, not the truth – yet it is the truth that is so important. They receive praise, but it is empty and has no value – In pursuit of worldly adoration, they have lost their soul – This truly is the “Way of Death”
Jesus message, in the words of Pope Francis is “about demolishing worldly idols in order to open our hearts to the true and living God. He alone can give our life that fullness so deeply desired and yet difficult to attain.”
But here at last God’s Mercy comes to the fore – for happiness can be found even by those who have nothing, if they look to the “Way of Life”, look to Christ. One might have no material goods – but The kingdom of God does not require them - if one trusts and lives in Christ. For Christ become poor for us. One might be hungery and have no food, yet they will be fed by the bread of life, Christ himself, in the Eurcharist. There might be the sufferings and mourning of of life – yet - Jesus wept- and just as they weep with Christ, they will have the joy of Christ. The saints might of sufferent persecution, yet through persecution, in his death and resurrection, Christ has brought us salvation. No matter the sufferings, pains, or challenges, Christ is there, the kingdom of God is there, if only we look for it. – Given to us in God’s Mercy
This really is the “Way of Life” – the way of Christ – something that no matter ones circumstance one can turn to. Again, in the words of Pope Francis, “Jesus’ Beatitudes are a decisive message which urges us not to place our trust in material and fleeting things, not to seek happiness by following smoke vendors — who are often vendors of death — experts in illusion.” He continues, saying that “we may become witnesses of the happiness that does not disappoint, that of God who never disappoints.”
There is the Mercy of God – calling us to himself – no matter the circumstances, no matter the challenges - The mercy that no one is excluded from true happiness except by their own choice – If we just turn to Christ – a turn that is always open to us – A turn which we do not need to earn – salvation, happiness, satisfaction, the kingdom of God is found - even in the midst of apparent “Woe” – Blessed is he who turns to Christ in all things.