Teen Series | Finding Yourself by Forgetting Yourself

Senior School Reflection | Matthew 5: 1-12, 9th Wednesday of Ordinary Time, Year A, 2026

The sermon on the mount was Jesus’ great discourse on happiness: blessedness. When Jesus lists those who are blessed, he doesn’t speak of people with honour, wealth, power, or bodily goods (natural beauty and good health) as the happy ones. He points instead to the poor in spirit, the merciful, the peacemakers and those invested in the works of justice. These qualities redirect a person’s attention outward. They are not primarily focused on themselves, but on God’s work and the wellbeing of others. So at the heart of Jesus’ message, he teaches that those with intentions directed beyond themselves will find happiness. 

This message is very different from the one we hear today. Our culture constantly tells us that happiness is found by turning to the self. Feeling lost and without purpose? Take another holiday or buy the latest gadget or video game as what you currently have is outdated; perhaps what’s missing is another cosmetic product on the dresser. Based on your sex and preferences, satisfy one of these and you will feel whole again. So, we’re told that by turning inward rather than outward we will find happiness, a vision different which Jesus presents here.  

It’s okay to have any or all these things – wealth, honour, power, adventure. These are good in themselves. In fact the 19^th Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said “purity of heart is to will one thing.” People are not wrong to pursue success, influence or achievement. We need good politicians, teachers, athletes, police officers, lawyers and other leaders. It’s how we use our gifts, talents and opportunities that matters: if directed towards God’s will and building up our community, they become a force for good and a source of genuine fulfilment. 

Last week I finished reading a book on Aging Well by George E. Vaillant, M.D. His 30-year research examined what contributes to happiness in later life. He found that happiness was not determined by whether a person was rich or poor, healthy or unwell.  Many people remained fulfilled when they moved beyond concerns about identity, intimacy, and career consolidation and instead focused on preserving the common good, giving unselfishly to the next generation and accepting life’s realities with integrity. It didn’t matter whether a marriage broke down, a person never found meaning in their work or suffered poor health. If these things happened, those whose outlook on life remained unselfish and who stayed true to themselves generally found greater satisfaction in life.

So, unlike modern culture, Goerges research reaffirmed Jesus’ position: happiness, it’s found when we orient our lives towards something greater than ourselves.

Shifting back to the Beatitudes. We should think of them as qualities visible in different people at different times. Some of you are naturally gifted at comforting those who are hurt or grieving. Others here are peacemakers who can deescalate situations when friends are bullied and relationships being ripped apart. No doubt we have some among us who have a great sense of justice and are willing to stand up for what is right for others and the school reputation, even when its unpopular.

These qualities are more apparent in some and less developed in others, but these are qualities Jesus wants us to cultivate. A person who is poor in spirit can learn to thirst for justice. A person who is a peacemaker can learn mercy. With a little experience, time, and maturity, we can cultivate all of them. 

Last Saturday, we had a moment of silence to honour the life of Neale Daniher, commemorating his legacy as a footballer, coach and great advocate for Motor Neurone Disease. He probably never imagined becoming a passionate advocate and fundraiser before his diagnosis. Perhaps it was through his own experience that he could understand more deeply what it meant to be poor in spirit. And so his hardships taught him something about human vulnerability, dependence and mercy for those who suffer. 

The point is that our life experiences shape us, and often they shape us into better human beings. A student who gets bullied often becomes really conscious about others who suffer from exclusion, moving them to show compassion and stand up for those suffering. 

What we have learnt today is that happiness comes when our attention is directed beyond ourselves. The beatitudes are established internally but expressed outwardly. While Jesus expresses his desire for us to be full of happiness in other teachings, this teaching of the Beatitudes is his way for us to achieve that.

The question for you then is this: Which Beatitude reflects most clearly in yourself?  And which one do you need to develop further? 

Junior Series | What comes first? A lesson for students on putting God first

 Junior School Reflection | Mark 12: 13 - 17, 9th Tuesday of Ordinary Time, Year A, 2026

 

What comes first in your life? Is it God, or something else that you love most, like football, another hobby, team, or person?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus faces some familiar enemies. They ask him a question with the intention of trapping him. “Master, we know you are an honest man…. and that you teach the way of God honestly.” At first, this sounds like praise, but really, it’s flattery - saying something nice to get what you want. Flattery can sound kind, but it can also be used to manipulate someone to make a mistake. In the case of the Gospel, Jesus’ enemies try making him feel super confident, so they can trap him with a weak response.

Then they asked Jesus a tricky question: “Is it okay to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay, yes or no?”

You might be wondering why this is problematic, and that is a very important and very smart question. You see Jesus’ questioners were hoping he would give an answer that would upset one side or the other, so that they could say Jesus said something wrong which would get him in trouble.  

For example, if Jesus said “no, you shouldn’t pay the Roman tax,” the Jewish people would be happy and rejoice; however, the Romans would recognise Jesus as a rebel and would deal with him harshly; if Jesus said “yes, you should pay your taxes,” his own people would turn against him, as they didn’t like paying tax to the Roman authority; so either way, the religious leaders thought they had trapped him, and that Jesus would be in trouble.

But Jesus answers with wisdom: “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.”

So what does this mean?

This Gospel isn’t really about money or politics; it’s about real responsibilities to two sets of authorities: to God, who comes first, and to lawful rules of civil authority, which deserves our respect, so long as they don’t ask us to do what is wrong against God. Both should be honoured, but not equally.

Jesus’ enemies weren’t expecting a response like that; he escaped the trap.

This Gospel is a great lesson for school life.  “Should I pay tax to Caesar?” or “Must I obey the Roman authority?” is similar to asking: should I listen to my teachers and follow the lawful rules set around the school grounds by Mr Todd? The answer is yes. Why? We owe what is due to our teachers and Mr Todd as representatives of the school; when we do that, we show them respect and we live with integrity, especially since their rules do not ask us to do something that God forbids. Good rules help keep us safe.

At the same time, and before school… before rules… before anything else, we belong to God, so our first duty is to “Give to God what belongs to God.” Do I pray? Do I tell the truth? Do I do what is right? Do I respect my teachers and Mr Todd’s instructions? The answer must always be yes: because that is what belongs to God.

Before you were born, before you were even formed in your mother’s womb, you were a thought in God’s imagination. Before you even came to school, your parents taught you to respect them, to show them kindness and other people the same… much of what you learn about doing right is connects with the Ten Commandments which come from God.

It’s because of your instruction in God, your love for him first, you are able to do what you’re supposed to for the people in charge of our school, and that’s part of being a responsible student.  

So, our obligation to civil authority like Mr Todd, is not equal to God, in the sense that it is our ultimate allegiance; however, our duties at school are real, but God remains first. Jesus’ message to the people who tricked him applies to us today. If we put God first, we can, without fear, let everything else fall into place.

So, what comes first in your life?

Let’s pray for the courage to do what is right and put God first in our lives, always. Amen.

FURTHER READING

For a similar reflection but on a different Gospel, click the link below:

• Investing in Jesus is the safest Gamble of all