In hearing the Sermon on the Mount which clearly expresses Jesus' way of life (a way that instructs his followers to turn the other cheek, to not seek retribution, to love even one's enemies, to reject self love and self concern), it seems apparent that for a vast number of "followers" the great denial is that Jesus meant what he said. I conclude that it is denial, for what else could explain why so many have failed to live the Way of Christ? How else could followers support war, or the death penalty? How else could followers consume beyond their need while knowing that others go hungry, or homeless?
We must ask ourselves, "What does the hungry say about me? Or the naked? Or the stranger? Or the sick or imprisoned?...Do they know me? Have they ever seen me?" For Christ is in each of these, the least of this world, and we do to Christ as we do to these; all too often, the least have had to suffer the bottom rung of the priority ladder - in contradiction to the Way of Christ.
My challenge to "the Church" is to realize that Jesus meant what he said. Of course, I include myself in the number who need to wake up to this realization of the need to plant our mustard seed of actually living the Way of Christ...each of us, each day. I am convinced that this is the only way we shall become the community of followers that Christ had entrusted with the kingdom. The world will declare us foolish, but we are not to live for the praise, recognition or accolades of the world, rather to do the will of God in being expressions of his love as children of God. The Way of Jesus is to bear the cross of the sacrifice of self, as our lives become expressions of love for God and others.
Father, give us courage, strength and endurance.