35 What Christian value is expressed by the second Beatitude?
The second Beatitude is: Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land.
This attitude (that of gentleness and humility) is one of patience. Following Christ, who patiently accepted suffering, the Christian is called to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). If there has been anger or hatred, it means that "If you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering" (Matthew 5:24).
The word humility derives from the word "humus" which is defined as an organic part of the soil. It is the decomposing and decaying of useless plant materials from which issues rich and luxuriant growth. In the same way, from humility, which is self-dying, comes a fruitful and abundant growth. In this way the meek "shall possess the land."
A recent survey among Catholics put this question, with the following results:
Question: Many people do not like going to the sacrament of Reconciliation. If you find it difficult, indicate whichever of the following comes closest to expressing your difficulty.
Results: (a) I don't like telling my sins to someone else, 9%; (b) I find myself confessing the same old sins every time, and it seems so pointless, 39%; (c) I never know what to say , 10%; (d) I get embarrassed and tongue-tied , 14%; (e) I'm afraid of what the priest will say, 5%;(f) I do not find it difficult, 23%. It is clear that the greatest difficulty is the apparent "pointlessness" of confession. We find ourselves confessing "the same old sins." The reason is obvious, but perhaps it is worth stating. We confess "the same old sins" because we commit "the same old sins."
We are not breaking the seal of the sacrament in revealing that at the top of this list, are the sins of impatience, bad temper, anger. These are the sins that everyone commits. They are the sins that we almost take for granted as part and parcel of our everyday life.
And this is frequently the difficulty. We take the evil of impatience for granted, even to regarding it as a virtue! We can be proud of the fact that we "don't suffer fools gladly." And we regard the "meek" or "gentle" person as really spineless!
The truly gentle person is quite the opposite, of course. Nothing takes so much out of us or demands such strength of character as patience. And it is always hardest with those we know best, with our families. Certainly, there are times when a good fight helps to clear the air. But how much unnecessary friction and unhappiness is caused by plain bad temper? The normal human respect, which acts as a brake on our anger with outsiders, we ignore in our family relationships; and we let fly!
Yet Christ's teaching does not allow contradiction. "Anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court" (Matthew 5:22). We are to go even beyond normal human respect to a respect and reverence for others founded on God's love. We are to respect others in the same way as God respects them. This is the source of patience.
This Beatitude, then, is not calling us to a "grin-and-bear-it" attitude. Our Christian life is not an endurance test with the reward of "blessedness" or happiness for the toughest contestants. Rather, it demands from us a profound change of attitude by which we recognize the real presence of Christ in all people, even those we find most difficult. We cannot take any person for granted. Each one deserves our patience.
QUIZREAD #55 "Reconciliation: the Second Beatitude"; #50 "What is sin?"; #51 "What is God's law?". THE BIBLE Exodus 20; Matthew 19:16-26. Circle the answer you think is correct.
55-1. T F The 2nd Beatitude is "Blessed are those who possess the land for they shall be humble".
55-2. T F English word "humility" is derived from a Latin word meaning ³filth.²
55-3. T F Does this Beatitude demand of us an endurance test, a "grin & bear it" attitude towards those who provoke us?
55-4. The Old Testament word for sin ("hata") means: a. a deadly infection b. insult c. miss the mark d. slings and arrows of outraged fortune
54-1 Which of the following are not part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? a. Confession b. Contrition c. Satisfaction d. Absolution e. Excommunication
55-6. T F Imperfect contrition means that we have forgotten the words to the Act of Contrition and we make up our own prayer.
55-7. T F People who do not know the Ten Commandments by memory are not obliged to keep them since ignorance of the Law excuses its observance.
55-8. Circle the following statements about the Ten Commandments which are
true:
a. The 10 Commandments uniquely express the natural law.
b.
Conscience enables all people to recognize God's law engraved on their
hearts.
c. Jesus did not come to abolish the Old Law but to complete
it.
d. A Christian who takes the Commandments as the heart of his faith is
living by a minimum standard.
NOTEBOOK 1. Copy the daily scripture readings with a brief summary of the passage.
2. Make a list of questions that come out of your reading on this chapter and bring them up to your sponsor.Anger = the inordinate seeking of revenge or an unreasonable opposition to a person or thing. It is one of the capital sins.
Blasphemy = a wrong use of Godıs name, a disrespectful approach to God, a disdain for God and a rejection of this love.
Cursing = calling down some evil on a person, place or thing.
Evangelical counsels = voluntarily living a life-style of poverty, chastity and obedience in order to remove whatever is incompatible with living of a life of total charity. They are to be contrasted with the precepts which are not voluntary.
Oath = calling on God to witness to the truth of what we say.
Pride = the inordinate seeking of oneıs own excellence. It is one of the capital sins.
Vow = a deliberate promise made to God by which a person binds himself under pain of sin to do something that is especially pleasing to God.
FAITH-SHARING GROUP
1. What stories can I share about people I know who
have come to faith in God? Why must I connect a life of love and justice with my
faith in God? What are some false gods people worship today?
Survey form on Confession If any of the following statements refer to you, check them:
1. I
don't like telling my sins to someone else ___
2. I find myself confessing
the same old sins every time, and it sees so pointless._____
3. I never know
what to say_____
4. I get embarrassed and tongue-tied_____
5. I'm afraid
of what the priest will say_____
6. I do not find it difficult_____
SUPPLEMENTARY
Catechism of the Catholic Church