The Teachings of Jesus: Part 1

Jesus' unique identity as the Son of God is central to Christian belief, as it establishes his divine authority and role in salvation. Unlike other religious figures who are seen as prophets or enlightened teachers, Jesus is regarded as the divine Saviour, fully God and fully human, whose mission was to reconcile humanity with God. This belief underscores the idea that Jesus is not just a moral teacher but the divine Saviour who reconciles humanity with God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (par. 454) states, "The title 'Son of God' signifies the unique and eternal relationship of Jesus Christ to God his Father: he is the only Son of the Father; he is God himself. To be a Christian, one must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." This underscores the non-negotiable Christian doctrine regarding Jesus' divinity.

St. Augustine further highlights Jesus' dual role: "Christ as God is the fatherland where we are going, Christ as Man is the way by which we go" (Sermon 124, 3). This speaks to Jesus' purpose not only as the destination for Christians but also as the means by which they journey towards God.

There are many diverse perspectives on Jesus, with as many versions of Jesus as there are theologians, Scripture scholars, and historians, arising from different interpretations of Scripture, historical context, and theological focus. Deepak Chopra's The Third Jesus presents a distorted view of Christ, emphasizing Jesus as merely an enlightened guide rather than the one and only Son of God. Chopra divides Jesus into three versions: the unknowable historical Jesus, the Jesus of Church doctrine, and Chopra's own version, "a saviour" who exemplifies "the highest level of enlightenment" (pg. 2).

In response to these differing portrayals, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) made it clear in Dominus Iesus that presenting Jesus merely as one of many revelatory figures is "in profound conflict with the Christian faith." The declaration emphasizes, "The doctrine of faith must be firmly believed which proclaims that Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary, and he alone, is the Son and the Word of the Father."

The Role of Jesus' Teachings

Jesus' mission was not just that of another ethical guide or spiritual teacher. His mission was distinct because it was rooted in his divinity and his unique role in bringing salvation to humanity. As the Incarnate Word of God, Jesus' purpose was to reconcile humanity with God, offering a path to eternal life that no other figure could provide. Jesus is the Incarnate Word of God who came "full of grace and truth" to share divine wisdom, empower humanity, and offer eternal life. His teaching, particularly exemplified in his preaching, was an essential part of his mission, closely tied to his miracles and the Paschal Mystery.

Jesus' teaching ministry was significant, as seen through his discourses, such as the Sermon on the Mount, and parables like the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. These teachings were not just ethical instructions but were transformative and spiritually profound, meant to guide humanity to God.

The Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes

The Sermon on the Mount is recorded in two Gospel versions: the shorter one in Luke 6 and the longer version in Matthew 5-7. The Sermon expresses the essence of the New Law. According to the Catechism, "The New Law or the Law of the Gospel is the perfection here on earth of the divine law, natural and revealed" (par. 1965).

The Beatitudes are central teachings of Jesus, reflecting the transformation of the human heart through divine grace, which refers to God's free and unmerited favour that helps individuals grow in holiness and align their lives with God's will. Jesus delivered this message on a mountaintop, echoing the role of Moses at Mt. Sinai. Pope Benedict XVI described Jesus as "the greater Moses, who broadens the Covenant to include all nations" (p. 66). Each of the Beatitudes shows their significance in the Christian life:

• Blessed Are the Merciful (Mt. 5:7): Mercy, a characteristic of God in the Old Testament, is now to be extended by followers of Christ. "To be merciful is to love with the heart of God," as Jesus urged, "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful" (Lk. 6:36).
• Blessed Are the Pure in Heart (Mt. 5:8): Purity of heart is about having an undivided love for God. St. Chromatius explains that the pure in heart are those who "have gotten rid of sin's filth" (Ancient Christian Commentary on Sacred Scripture).
• Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (Mt. 5:6): Jesus did not say to merely cling to righteousness but to hunger and thirst for it. St. John Chrysostom noted the importance of striving for divine justice.
• Blessed Are the Peacemakers (Mt. 5:9): Peace is rooted in God and is ordered towards the common good. St. Augustine, in The City of God, described peace as "the tranquillity of order" (Bk. 19, Ch. 13).
• Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit (Mt. 5:3): This calls for humility and detachment from worldly things. St. Hilary pointed to humility as the "perfect Beatitude."
• Blessed Are Those Who Mourn (Mt. 5:4): Mourning is about not being attached to pleasure and recognising humanity's fallen state.
• Blessed Are the Meek (Mt. 5:5): Meekness is not weakness; rather, it is about being humble and patient, as exemplified by Jesus.
• Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted (Mt. 5:10-11): Persecution is part of the Christian journey, and enduring it faithfully brings one closer to God.

Understanding the Sermon in Light of the Cross

The Sermon on the Mount must be understood in the context of Christ's Passion. This connection is significant because it shows that the teachings of Jesus are not just ethical guidelines but are also deeply rooted in the sacrificial love demonstrated through his suffering and death. As Fulton Sheen wrote, "The Sermon on the Mount cannot be separated from His Crucifixion, any more than day can be separated from night" (p. 115). The Beatitudes reflect Jesus' attitude during his Passion—he despised wealth, power, pleasure, and honour and instead embraced patience, charity, obedience, and humility. Thus, the Beatitudes are both a proclamation and a lived reality in Jesus' life, demonstrating how Christians are called to imitate him.

Conclusion

The Beatitudes are about reforming the human heart through forgiveness, faith, and divine grace. Each Beatitude contributes uniquely to this transformation: mercy fosters compassion, purity of heart focuses our love on God, righteousness instills a desire for justice, peacemaking builds harmony, poverty in spirit encourages humility, mourning helps detach us from worldly pleasures, meekness promotes patience, and enduring persecution strengthens our faith. Jesus not only preached these profound truths but lived them. They culminated in his Passion and resurrection, embodying the New Law and divine love for humanity.

Questions for reflection

1. How does the Catholic Church teach that Jesus is completely unique in his person and work? (CCC 454, 464, 614, 617)
2. Read Luke 6 and Matthew 5-7. In what ways are the two versions of the Sermon on the Mount similar and different?
3. How does the Sermon on the Mount express and fulfil the commandments of the Law? What are some of the key connections between the Sermon on the Mount and the Law? (CCC 1965, 1968)
4. What is the meaning of “happy” or “blessed” as used in the Sermon on the Mount? How is the biblical concept of happiness different from happiness as most people understand it today? (CCC 1716-29)
5. What are some of the paradoxical qualities of the beatitudes? How do they contrast with a worldly desire for power, honour, pleasure, and wealth? (CCC 1719, 1722, 1723)

Questions for Understanding

1. What are some of the different opinions about Jesus that you have heard or read about? Why are they attractive to many people?
2. What does it mean to say that the one thing every person desires is joy? What are some of my experiences of joy? Did they, in some way, point toward an eternal, supernatural joy?
3. How do the Beatitudes challenge my priorities? Which of the Beatitudes is most difficult for me to understand or accept? Why?