'BE' attitudes

THE STORY is told about a proud lion who visited a tiny mouse. "Hey, mouse, I'm getting married. What's the best advice you can give?" the lion asked.

"Just remember this my friend, I too was a lion before I got married," said the mouse.

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In today's Gospel (Mt. 5, 1-12), Jesus puts forth the Beatitudes which, on closer examination, are a sure formula for failure in the eyes of this world. They are guidelines fit for a mouse, not for a lion, the world will tell us. But, look again and give it a try, and you'll realize that there is no greater power than gentleness of heart. What "BE" attitudes (in contrast to "DON'T BE" attitudes) can we learn from the Beatitudes?

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First, BE POOR in spirit. If life is one big success and wealth, we may never learn what it is like to be dependent on God. We may even forget the next life because we have made ourselves too attached and too comfortable in this life.

Before we know it, we may begin to think that the world revolves around us, and that we actually can get and control anything we desire.

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BE HOPEFUL. Amid problems and sadness in this world, let us be comforted with the thought that there is no complete happiness in this world, and that we who don't live a luxurious, happy life now, will have the Kingdom of God as our reward. God has promised that He will turn our mourning into joy, and that He has prepared a place for us where every tear will be wiped away.

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BE HUMBLE. Let us not go the way of the haughty and the proud, for it leads to the fall. Let us not think of ourselves bigger than what we really are. We are just "dust in the wind," and yet we sometimes think and act as if we were some immovable mountain. With Mary in her Magnificat, may we always remember that the Lord "casts the mighty from their thrones and lifts up the lowly."

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BE STEADFAST. Let us hold on to our goodness especially when we are tempted to follow the ways of the world. Let us hold on to the truth, and continue to search for the truth, and stand for what is good and true. God is always on the side of the truthful, and with God on our side, we can be confident, and we can speak our truth quietly and clearly.

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BE MERCIFUL. Remember, we too have been shown mercy so many times, so we must be compassionate and understanding especially to the "little ones." The minimum of mercy is justice, but remember, too, that beyond justice is mercy. Let us not be exacting and calculating. Extend, reach out, go beyond, and be generous.

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BE GOOD. Let us not envy those who seem to prosper by evil ways, and let us not be carried by the current of this world that seeks pleasure and comfort by all means, by whatever means. In the long run, crime does not pay. Goodness pays, and goodness itself is its own reward.

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BE PEACEFUL. The "Desiderata" puts it so beautifully: "As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all people." Be a bridge rather than a wall. Be a cave that takes in people rather than a mountain that shuts out people. Remember, it is easier to divide than to unite, to destroy rather than to build, to criticize than to encourage; but continue to unite, to build and to encourage anyway because you have to make present His peace in your own little way.

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BE STRONG. Persecution should not alarm or disturb us. If we suffer because of righteousness, let us console ourselves with the thought that we did not cop out or sell out on the Lord, who expects us to be strong amid adversities and persecutions. Let us continue to be salt of the earth and light of the world, and let us not give up our goodness till the end.

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BE STILL. There are no sure and immediate rewards for us who follow the Beatitudes in this world, but be still and know that God is God, and He will make true His promise. The assurance is there that He will be with us, and He will not abandon us, especially when we are insulted and persecuted for His sake.

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Finally, BE HAPPY. Rejoice and be glad "for your reward will be great in Heaven." But even in this world, amid persecutions, deprivations and oppressions, we can experience true peace, serenity and joy if we follow these "BE" attitudes derived from the Beatitudes.

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I just came from my first trip to Batanes, and there I experienced the Beatitudes concretely in so many ways. Not only is the place so beautiful and serene, but also are the people who live out the Gospel values of simplicity, honesty, hospitality, generosity and joy. Away from the maddening crowd and from the usual barrage of socio-political-economic woes of our country, for a while, I thought I was not in the Philippines. Let us all try to live out and concretize the Beatitudes in our daily lives.

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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me to live the "BE" attitudes derived from the Beatitudes. Amen.