If there is any truth to the stereotype of an Old Testament prophet as someone going around ranting and raving about people’s sins and God’s fiery punishment– then Zephaniah would fit the picture. He preached during the reign of Josiah (seventh century BCE) and may have helped Josiah bring about religious reforms. Zephaniah, like his predecessor Amos, warned people about a coming Day of the Lord–a day of wrath and suffering. On that day all life would be destroyed. “‘I will completely the sweep away all things from the face of the earth’, says the Lord” (1:2). In the light of people’s religious and social abuses, Zephaniah announced God’s coming punishment.
But, judging from today’s first reading, the prophet had a soft spot for a particular group of people he calls a “remnant.” Zephaniah sees these few faithful and humble ones as a sign of hope, a new beginning for the people of Judah. These are the ones who have observed the religious laws and customs and lived justly. They are open to God’s Word and seek to live it in their lives. They are true believers; people who put God first and so they are a sign of God’s faithfulness and continued blessings to those who trust in God. If you were to ask one of the little ones, a member of the remnant, “Who’s in charge here?” they would answer with conviction, “God is!”
Throughout the Hebrew prophets we can detect a golden thread –the presence of the “remnant.” Amos is the first to mention them, so do Isaiah, Micah and, as we hear today, Zephaniah. Even when the prophets are condemning the people’s religious excesses and social sins, the “remnant” shine forth as signs of God’s righteousness enfleshed in human beings. They are visible reminders of who God is and the goodness humans are capable of doing with God’s help. The “remnant” not only appear in the Hebrew Scriptures, but their “golden thread” continues and shines forth in Jesus and then in those whom he names the “poor in spirit”; his followers who hear his message and accept God’s reign (“the kingdom of heaven”) in their lives.
If you were to put the same question to Jesus’ followers, “Who’s in charge here?” they too would answer with conviction, “God is!” You could also ask them, “Whose way of life do you follow?” And they would say, “Jesus’ way of life.” The golden thread of the remnant weaves its way through the prophets right up to Jesus and his followers, the disciples he describes in these Beatitudes.
The Beatitudes are addressed to the disenfranchised; the ones the world considers very unlucky. The Beatitudes are not rewards for good behavior. Still, there is a strong connection in them between poverty and riches; hunger and fulfillment; sorrow and comfort, etc. They suggest something interior happens to those who are broken and in need, on one level, but who turn to God and find happiness and joy on a deeper level.
Those living the Beatitudes (the New Testament “remnant”) hear the promises they hold out to them and are renewed in hope. They have made a total investment in God. With God’s help they live the life the Beatitudes describe, despite the rejection, ridicule and persecution the world inflicts on them. While living Jesus’ life is difficult, we are assured, despite the lack of tangible proofs, that God is bestowing a blessing on us now and also preparing a heavenly reward. “Rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven.”
The Beatitudes are open to interpretation on many levels. Here is one way of interpreting them.
• The “poor in spirit,” don’t claim their own goodness, but turn to God in trust.
• Those who mourn, grieve over the sin and injustices of the world.
• The meek have no other power than from God.
• Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness long for the salvation only God can provide
• The merciful are those who, when offended, give forgiveness.
• The clean of heart are focused on God alone.
• The peacemakers work to bring God’s healing and unity to the world.
• Those persecuted for the sake of righteousness are those who suffer for being and acting as Jesus’ followers.
Recently the New York State Lottery was up to $300 million. Even in the midst of a severe blizzard people formed long lines outside stores that sold lottery tickets. National television stations covered the story and interviewed smiling, hopeful winners. Some said that winning the lottery would be a “blessing.” Their response was understandable, many looked poor or of the working class. In these stressful financial times they probably were hard pressed and, of course, would have deemed winning such a sweeping stroke of financial good luck, a “blessing from God.”
But would winning the lottery really be a sign of God’s favor–a “blessing?” Would all those riches make them happy? For sure they would have good feelings. But judging from some previous winners, whose lives were ruined by all that sudden wealth and notoriety, true and lasting happiness, doesn’t automatically come with the arrival of a big check. Nor does it come with winning the Super Bowl, an Academy award or a scholarship to our college of choice. That’s not news for most of us, is it?
The Beatitudes must have been reassuring and comforting to the first Christians. Most came from the insignificant classes of society. Christianity attracted the poor, the working and servant classes and slaves. They knew the outside world looked down on them and even hated them. At their worship gatherings they must have had a lot of doubts about their worth and the future of their faith communities.
Hearing the Beatitudes about God’s blessings would seem a joke to the outside world. For them, a blessing would be if someone won the lottery or their team won the Super Bowl. But people of faith, inspired by the Beatitudes, have a different world view. We know God stands with and works with us as we try to live our beatitude-calling. Even as we try, stumble and try again we hear Jesus’ reassurance, “You are already blessed.”