Sermon on the Mount

Frank J. Matera was for many years the Andrews-Kelly-Ryan Professor of Biblical Studies at the Catholic University of America. A former president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, he is presently the pastor of St. Mary's Church in Simsbury, Connecticut. He has published commentaries on Romans, Second Corinthians, and Galatians and written books on New Testament theology, New Testament Christology, New Testament ethics, and Pauline theology. Matera's previous works published by Liturgical Press include Strategies for Preaching Paul, Preaching Romans: Proclaiming God's Saving Grace, The Sermon on the Mount: The Perfect Measure of the Christian Life, and Resurrection: The Origin and Goal of the Christian Life.

Fr. Frank Matera’s The Sermon on the Mount is the fruit of a life’s work of pastoral ministry and the highest level of biblical scholarship. It is simple and accessible, but scholars will recognize its author as a guide who has command of the exegetical issues and yet distills that expertise for a general audience. Matera masterfully navigates problems commonly raised about the Sermon. He presents it as an invitation to and accessible to all, and yet only possible to those who have known conversion as part of a community of disciples. It is exalted and challenging, yet truly attainable. The life it portrays is ethical, yet ultimately a gift and promise. Readers of all backgrounds will profit immeasurably from this book.William Mattison, Associate Professor of Moral Theology, Catholic University

• ContentsPreface   ixIntroduction: The Sermon on the Mount and the Christian Life   1The Sermon on the Mount as the Norm of Discipleship   3The Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain   5The Sermon on the Mount within the Gospel of Matthew   9The Structure and Theme of the Sermon on the Mount   12The Text of the Sermon on the Mount   141 The Blessings of the Kingdom and the Nature of Discipleship   27The Disciples and the Crowds (5:1-2  ) 28The Disciples’ Assurance of Beatitude (5:3-12)   30Blessed are the poor in spirit (5:3)   32Blessed are those who mourn (5:4)   34Blessed are the meek (5:5)   35Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (5:6)   37Blessed are the merciful (5:7)   38Blessed are the pure in heart (5:8)   40Blessed are the peacemakers (5:9)   41Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (5:10)   42Blessed are you when people revile you (5:11-12)   43The Disciples and World (5:13-16) 44 2 Living a More Abundant Righteousness   47The Law and the Prophets Fulfilled (5:17-20)   47The Six Antitheses (5:21-48)   50Not even anger (5:21-26)   52Not even the lustful look (5:27-30)   53Faithfulness to one’s spouse (5:31-32)   55Telling the truth at all times (5:33-37)   57Overcoming evil through love (5:38-42)   60Loving even the enemy (5:43-48)   623 Piety without Hypocrisy   67The Danger of Hypocrisy (6:1)   70Giving in Secret (6:2-4)   71Praying in Secret (6:5-6)   73How to Pray (6:7-15)   74Fasting in Secret (6:16-18)   844 Single-Minded Devotion to God   86Where Your Treasure Is (6:19-21)   88If Your Eye Is Sound (6:22-23)   89Only One Master (6:24)   91Do Not Be Anxious (6:25-34)   92Do Not Judge (7:1-5)   97Protecting What Is Holy (7:6)   100Asking with Confidence (7:7-11)   102The Law and the Prophets (7:12)   1045 The Need to Do Jesus’ Words   106The Two Ways (7:13-14)   107False Prophets (7:15-23)   109Doers of the Word (7:24-26)   113The Authority of Jesus’ Word (7:28-29)   115For Further Reading   119