I am reading a wonderful book by Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, Prayer: Our Deepest Longing.  Rolheiser explains the differences between the Greek and Hebrew understanding of perfection.  In the Greek mindset, perfection basically means without flaw or error, a common understanding today.  The Hebrew understanding of perfection is vastly different.  From the Hebrew tradition, perfection simply means to walk with God, despite our flaws, shortcomings, and limitations.   Perfection is to be in God’s presence, to journey with God as we are, recognizing that in God we are made whole.   
 
Jesus was deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition and mindset.  This weekend we encounter the Beatitudes in our Gospel.  While poverty and suffering were understood as a curse or punishment from God, we find Jesus referring to those who are poor, who are hungry, who weep, and who are hated and rejected as “blessed.”  Jesus goes on to suggest that those who are rich, who have their needs met, who laugh, and who are admired and liked will be punished in some way.   In essence, Jesus turns our understanding of fortune upside down and may make some of us uncomfortable and wonder what Jesus is getting at. 
 
It is safe to say that Jesus is not suggesting that suffering is a blessing from God or that a good life will lead to punishment.  Much like with the meaning of perfection, when we look at the Greek and Hebrew understanding of blessed, we gain a better insight.  The word “makarios” in Greek and “ashre” in Hebrew, translated as “blessed” in our English translation, have a similar meaning which recognizes that happiness flows from a relationship with God and not from one’s state in life.   True happiness is found in God, in having a relationship with the Almighty.
 
As a child, I was taught that the Beatitudes were the attitudes we should adopt in life.  There is wisdom to that line of thinking.  Our true happiness is not found in external things but rather in our internal quest for God.  We find perfection, we find happiness, when we seek God.  That does not mean that we should seek suffering or reject the comforts of life.  Jesus laughed, he ate, drank, teased, and he was deeply rooted in love.  The Good News of the gospel is found when we too root ourselves in love.  We truly are made whole in God’s love.
 
May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forever more.
 
+Harry