Spirit, Learning and Life

This passage is widely accepted to be the closest we come to Jesus’ actual teachings. Even though Matthew collected and edited them for his community, and even though they were probably not all taught in one sitting, they still have a ring of authenticity about them. Jesus was teaching his disciples the essentials for life in the kingdom of God and Matthew was using these instructions for his community of disciples who were likely dealing with disappointment, displacement, temptations and questions.

Our own community was undergoing changes due to COVID fears and Zoom displacement and we were beginning to ask ourselves what was essential for life in the community of Watershed. Many of us found that while Sermon on the Mount can sound strident to Western ears on first reading, as we sat with and reflected on the verses, we realized the deep hope and love that informed Jesus’ teachings. Here are some of the things we came away with.

God is already at work - Although Matthew 5-7 compels us to change our behaviors, these chapters assume God is already at work, especially when we go through upside-down experiences. Yearning for justice, peace, truth, love are already signs that God is at work. Many of us felt the Beatitudes weaving their way through as we studied. We are called to listen more deeply to the Love of the overturning of the Spirit in our lives and in in our community.

Transforming Initiatives - Anger, lust, duplicity, religiosity are different aspects in which our instincts can tempt us to maladaptive behaviors which we usually regret. But Jesus’ words “But I say to you…” gives us clues to habits that can short-circuit these vicious cycles. They encourage disciples to take the initiative in reconciliation, in truth-telling, in intercessory prayer. We are able to take these initiatives because God is already at work ahead of us.

Truth and Love - any community will inevitably experience the tension between telling the truth and keeping the peace. When communities are experiencing change, its a very real temptation to not want to rock the boat. But the cost is becoming less authentic, less ourselves. Jesus shows us that loving our neighbor and being honest with our neighbor are two sides of the same thing. Although these can lead to difficult conversations, the Spirit gives us the wisdom on what to say and how, to lead to a deeper healing. To make “good trouble” in the words of John Lewis.

Digging Your Own Well - when stress reveals personal and communal fault lines, its very tempting to rely on our default responses to try to control the chaos. But the Sermon on the Mount encourages us instead to deep personal prayers of confession, lament and intercession, to rely on God’s love and faithfulness. To come to the end of our rope turns out to be a place of hope, not despair. Out of this deepening relationship with living Jesus flows guidance that informs our words and actions, teaching us how to love God in the neighbor in creative new ways. This is the rock on which to build.

Covenanted Love - through our study we were more able to discern God’s faithfulness in spite of circumstances. God’s covenant with humanity is most clearly shown in the life and teaching of Jesus, and comes alive within us through the Spirit. And Jesus’ deep trust in the goodness of God invites us to a deeper trust. The more we integrate this deep abiding love, that includes even the most unlikely, the more we are able to enter into a covenanted love with each other and for the world.