The Symbolic meaning of the Sermon on the Mount

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season 31st Week - Monday*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 5:1–12a*

*First Reading - Rv 7:2-4, 9-14*

*SECOND READING - 1 Jn 3:1–3*

*Solemnity of All Saints*

*The Symbolic meaning of the Sermon on the Mount*

*1) Biblical understanding of the Mountain*

Mountains are mentioned frequently in the Bible. There are more than 500 references in Scripture.

Mountains have a logical religious symbolism for Jewish and Christian cultures since they are “closer to God” who dwells in the heavens.

As a result, God often reveals himself on a mountaintop in the text.

God gave 10 commandments at Mount Sinai

There are six significant mountain scenes in the gospel: 

*Jesus’ temptation (Matthew 4:8)* 

*The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12)*

*a number of healings (Matthew 15:29-31)*

*The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1)*

*Jesus’ final discourse (Matthew 24:3)*

 *The commissioning of the Apostles (Matthew 28:16-20)*

All these show us the importance of the mountain

*2) Jesus went Up to the mountain when He saw the Crowd*

The seeing of the Crowd by Jesus and going up to the mountain also has a symbolic meaning. 

In a way Jesus is inviting to all those who are in the Crowd to move higher in their way of life, attitude, and in their spiritually

By going Himself first to the mountain He becomes an example and inspiration to all others to follow the path 

Like Jesus we need to go to the mountain, which is a sign of growth towards God. 

*3) Jesus' first teaching from the mountain is about blessednees*

According to the nature and biblical understanding of the mountain, the first message from the Mountain is about blessedness. 

Since mountain signifies a place closer to God, and also the dwelling place of God, Jesus speaks in the similar life, that is the blessedness.

When we are able to move to the mountain, in a spiritual way, automatically we become blessed.

So Jesus' invitation to go up to the mountain also has the spiritual meaning of attaining the blessedness in our life 

*4) Mountain is a best place to attain blessedness*

The psalmist asks, *Who can climb the mountain of the Lord?*

*The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things*

Psalm 24: 3-4

Those who are able to climb the mountain of the Lord are the Holy People and holy people are the blessed people. 

So mountain becomes a perfect place for attaining the blessedness

*5) Blessed are those who are able to climb the mountain of the Lord*

The sermon on the mount has a very important teaching and also the practical way to attain the blessedness. 

First of all it explains who are the blessed people. 

Secondly it shows variety of ways through which we can attain blessedness. 

So one who is able to climb the mountain of the Lord is blessed. 

*6) Am I ready to climb the Mountain of the Lord?*

As we celebrate the solemnity of all saints, the sainthood is possible for only those who are willing to climb the Mountain of the Lord. 

All the saints, followed this path and they climbed the mountain of the Lord, and finally became saints 

What about me? 

Am I ready to climb the mountain of the Lord? 

Jesus calls us everyday to climb the mountain. What is my response?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*