Mahatma Ghandi wrote of the Beatitudes: "It is the sermon which endeared Jesus to me."

Jesus does not have a theological discourse with his disciples. The Beatitudes are a call to action addressed to them and us.

"The danger we face in Christianity, Catholicism especially with the assisstance of Theology, is that we know how to intercept, the thrust of Jesus' challenge, to divert it and to settle down peacefully inspite of.."'(Gunther Bornkamm). The openness and ability to trust in God's power, in God's preferential favour for the weak are crucial both for those among us who suffer and those who seek to liberate us. The words of the Gospel never allow us to live in self-satisfaction. Rather, they always make us empty! They make us repeat the truth of Mary's: "Let it be done to me according to Your Word!"

To live the Beatitudes - which spring from Jesus' unshakeable confidence in God's promises (Is. 35: 3-4), - we have to let go of self. We aren't really free until we are free of ourselves. We have taken ourselves too seriously, although we are only a tiny moment of consciousness! We are busy trying to get "saved" while Eternity is a gift we already have. We don't have to fight for it!

The "woes" attempt to pierce through all forms of self-sufficiency. Are there symptoms of self-sufficiency in me, in my church?