This Sunday’s Gospel is the third of five taken from the “Sermon on the Mount.” In his sermon, Jesus reveals God to be our “Heavenly Father,” whose only intention is to bless us. The Sermon even begins with the word “Blessed,” which means (1) a person who is happy (2) by means of a more-than-human power. God is the “power” behind true happiness. Jesus reveals God’s intention to bless, but he reveals as well the disposition required of those who would receive God’s blessing. The proper disposition is required because more-than-human-happiness is a reality found in the heart, rather than in external circumstances (hence the Beetles’ line, “Can’t buy me love”).

Parents are a little like God in not being able at all times to “bless” their children. A good mother, for example, cannot give a cookie to her son if he rudely demands it, because the cookie is not an end in itself, but a means of deepening the love between mother and child. In the same way, God gives us only good things, things that will deepen our love for him, for creation, and for other people. Thus Jesus exhorts us to focus on the attitude of our hearts, to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (6:33). If we focus instead on “things” themselves as the means to happiness, we will be severely disappointed. If we do listen to Jesus, and focus on the proper attitude, then, quite appropriately, the “things” necessary for our happiness “will be given besides!” (6:33).

-Fr. Tom