Sermons on the Beatitudes: A Synopsis of the Sermons of Sts. John Chrysostom and Augustine
© Kathryn Morse
The Beatitudes, Matthew 5 from the New American Bible
St. John Chrysostom's sermon on the Beatitudes begins here St. Augustine's sermon on the Beatitudes is found here. The Synopsis St. John Chrystostom's Sermon on the Beatitudes is a remarkable weaving of imagination, knowledge and commentary. Chrysostom interprets all the words chosen by St. Matthew for this passage in clear and moving terms. Chrysostom begins with "He opened His mouth," a phrase that is often looked over as obvious in its meaning. But Chrysostom tells us that this phrase was added to communicate that Jesus was teaching with his very presence before he spoke. Chrysostom also points out that the arrangement of the hearers put the twelve disciples closest to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus would appear to be teaching his closest companions while the crowd would appear to be eavesdroppers. Chrysostom said that this would make the crowd listen that much harder to hear the special words to the inner circle. But Jesus did not address just the inner circle and Chrysostom points out how inclusive the Beatitudes are. Jesus did not say, "Blessed are ye, if ye become poor," but "Blessed are the poor" which includes all who arrive in that state. Chrysostom's explanation of "Blessed are the poor in spirit" goes further than that of many preachers. Many, including St. Augustine, define "poor in spirit" as "humble" and leave the explanation there. Chrysostom goes much further and quotes from Isaiah, "The sacrifice for God is a contrite spirit." Chrysostom says that we must be utterly broken. Chrysostom believes that this Beatitude is listed second in order to remind the disciples that they must not become proud of their poverty and spiritual gifts. At this point Chrysostom says that Jesus taught these commandments as blessings so "making his word appear less burdensome." "Blessed are they that mourn" according to Chrysostom means they that mourn for their sins. He says that Jesus is teaching that if we have sorrow over the death of family members that we should sorrow even more, or mourn, over our shortcomings. This, Chrysostom says, is a form of self-denial or self-discipline with the greatest reward, that is, to see God. With the next Beatitude, Chrysostom says that Jesus changes the theme of the blessings. The first blessings have promise of eternal things. The next Beatitude, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Chrysostom describes this promise as a "sensible prize" and says it means that the meek person will possess "his goods in safety." Persons who are rash or boastful often lose their worldly goods, he explains.
