The key
word from the Greek text for today's Gospel passage in the liturgy (Luke 6:20-26) is "Μακάριοι" – "Blessed". In the time of the
ancient Greeks the word was a reference to gods. It also was used for
those who had died as they were considered "blessed" because they
were now inhabitants of the other world where gods lived. Later "Μακάριοι" denoted the elite in
society – the cream of the crop, the wealthy and powerful. In Old
Testament usage "Μακάριοι" pointed
more at men who lived righteously and were rewarded with wisdom, an abundant
harvest, and a good wife who brought forth many healthy children.
Taking all these definitions and throwing them into one pot while
also adding to it the Authority of Jesus Who speaks these Beatitudes, you get a
sense of the magnitude of His words, plus the holiness He attaches to "Μακάριοι" and the seriousness of
our calling as Christians.
To the unbeliever this would have to be considered a ridiculous
Gospel passage. How could anyone be called blessed who is poor, hungry,
weeping, hated, excluded or insulted?
A healthy prayer life, frequent Confession and the Eucharist
rewards us in this life with some heavenly wisdom. Worldly wisdom would
portray these conditions as horrid; and from that perspective, who could argue
that? Ever notice that divine proclamations and human logic are usually
exact opposites?
Setting aside the literal meaning of "poor," the first
Beatitude calls us to be beggars before God, trusting in His Providential
care.
To be "hungry" in a middle to upper class existence is
to be actively involved in flooding the culture with moral righteousness.
It is an unquenchable desire to see a change in the secular attitudes of
society.
The devout are "weeping" because of the evil which not
only tempts lives but sadly also conquers some. This is coupled with a
longing for the peace and goodness of the heavenly Kingdom where evil has no
abode.
Remaining steadfast in faith could very well make us victims of
insults and hatred, but courage in such cases promises a great reward in
heaven.
Some English translations opt for the word "happy"
instead of "blessed". That really is not a good translation of "Μακάριοι". Saint Jerome, who knew the Greek language, confirms this when he translated the Sacred Scriptures into Latin and chose the word "Beati" (Blessed). Understanding
"blessed" as the proper rendering should heighten moral convictions
and deepen our own desire for a more loving communion with Jesus which was made
very attainable by His Incarnation; for the opposite of happy is merely unhappy
but the opposite of blessed is cursed.
"Woe" is an interpretation of the Greek word "Οὐαὶ" which is not an
exact definition but probably the best word that English can offer. "Οὐαὶ" is an
expression of grief; or in a stronger, harsher sense reflects damnation.
