There has always been a diversity of responses proposed to the question of what pleases God.  The cause of this diversity is easy to understand.  As God is not physically present with human society, everyone is free to imagine their own vision of what is pleasing to God.  Consequently, all opinions, ranging from selfishness and violence to denial and inaction, are to be considered valid. 

The penultimate sentence in the paragraph above is, of course, misleading, and the final sentence in that paragraph is purely delusional.  While it is true that there was a time before God sent prophets to guide God’s People, that time expired in the middle bronze age with the vocation of Abraham the patriarch.  Moreover, as today’s second reading professes, Jesus is “wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Cor 1:30) 

There is no excuse, therefore, for not knowing clearly and fully what pleases God and what God expects of all people.  God, showing limitless mercy and favor to the world, provides an unequivocal statement of what is pleasing to God and required of God’s People.  In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus stated God’s will for the world by using the comprehensive term “the kingdom of heaven.”  In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus provides a detailed analysis of what it means to live under God’s reign. 

Beatitudes were common to pagan, Hebrew, and Christian prophetic preaching in the ancient world.  Beatitudes are always accompanied by their opposites, often called “woes.”  Jesus’ beatitudes and woes are listed in succession in Luke’s Gospel. (Lk 6:24-26)  Matthew’s Gospel places the beatitudes at the beginning of Jesus’ preaching ministry and the woes at the end of his ministry. (Mt 23:13-36) 

Like all prophecy, an appropriate understanding of the beatitudes interprets them as prescriptions rather than predictions.  Jesus’ beatitudes instruct and admonish all people about what is pleasing to God.  The author of Matthew’s Gospel probably amplified Jesus’ original list of beatitudes, but the meaning of the prophecy remains unchanged.  A life pleasing to God is one that seeks righteousness, sanctification, and redemption above all else. 

Moreover, the beatitudes can be interpreted as “prescriptions” in the sense of a remedy, as well.  Adhering to Jesus’ teaching is the remedy for ignorance, sin, and self-destruction.  The poverty of spirit, humility, and purity of heart taught by Jesus raises human nature above its fallen state and closer to God.  Living under God’s reign is a remedy for one’s own sins and a remedy for the world because it proclaims God as sole source of goodness and truth. 

The expanded list of beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel provides a helpful perspective on how to understand and apply this teaching; the multiple beatitudes instruct us that multiple actions are required to live a life pleasing to God.  This Sunday, I want to address one important action that spreads God’s benevolent reign in our neighborhood and throughout the diocese and the world. 

You are probably familiar with the Catholic Ministry Appeal, and you’ve probably already received an informational letter and pledge envelope in the mail.  The Catholic Ministry Appeal is a diocesan fundraising campaign to support diocesan ministry and administrative activities.  These activities are rarely seen by parishioners, but they have a direct benefit for all parishes. 

The Liturgy program at All Saints, our Faith Formation programs for children and adults, our ministry to the hospital and nursing homes, our preparation programs for Baptism, Confirmation, First Holy Communion, and Marriage, as well as formation for candidates for priesthood and the permanent diaconate are made possible by the activities of the diocesan offices funded through the Catholic Ministry Appeal. 

Each parish in the diocese is asked to provide a proportional part of the funding to perform those diocesan ministries.  Our parish goal this year is slightly higher than last year; it is $91,871.  If you made a pledge or gift last year, I ask you to repeat that gift this year.  If you did not participate in last year’s campaign, I ask you to consider doing so now. 

If you have visited any of the theme parks in Orlando, Florida, you realize that the pleasant experience of theme park guests, the plentiful food and drink, entertaining exhibitions, and well-stocked gift shops are made possible by vast unseen activities and resources maintained by the management of those parks.  Parish ministry works in much the same way.  The behind-the-scenes work of the diocesan offices allows parishes to sustain and expand activities for parishioners and ministries to those in need. 

There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind about how to live and how to please God because God communicates this clearly through the Scriptures and the Church’s ministry.  As disciples of Jesus, it is our vocation to be the presence of God in the world; we are to teach and model God’s saving truth to all.  The Catholic Ministry Appeal is a necessary support to us in our vocation as God’s People.  Please give your generous support to this year’s Catholic Ministry Appeal campaign.