How can loving our neighbour be a catastophic error?

I am writing on the eve of All Saints Day which presents the Beatitudes as the manifesto of Christian Life. These words turn the world upside down because they seek to discover a God who is the living heart of our world. It is at the heart of our Jewish and Christian heritage that we are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our mind and with our strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. This is more than a noble sentiment which cannot be applied to daily life. However, this the radical challenge which Jesus presents to us. He is not a misguided prophet or an altruistic do-gooder, he is the person who gives substance to our lives and the way we are called to be present to God and each other.

What can we discover about God in the beatitudes?

                That people who seek to find God out of their own poverty of spirit will find the Kingdom of heaven. This is not seeking poverty for its own sake but discovering that are lives are only complete when we surrender them to a God who will walk with them in the difficulties, questions and sinfulness.

That people who confront their own violence in actions, thoughts and deeds discover the gentle spirit of God which brings people together rather than driving them apart.

That people who are able to show compassion for others at time of great turmoil and loss experience a way of being present to others which brings comfort and healing.

That people who are able to feel the deep hunger of humanity rather than stand in judgment over it will find a way of being present to others with integrity and truth.

That people who reach out to others with their time and resources will find that the well is never spent.

That people who seek to have a genuine desire to walk with God will see the face of God in others.

That people who seek to bring reconciliation and healing will be changed into being co-creators with God.

That people who walk with Jesus will seek to work with others because they are people created in the image and likeness of God.

That people are called to be the authentic witness of how Jesus walks with them in spite of the many people who would claim that they do not live in the real world. The Gospel calls us to view the whole of creation not as a problem but as a gift, not as a mystery to be solved but a mystery to be lived, as a way of being present to creation with generosity and grace.