The Sermon on the Mount: The Perfect Measure of the Christian Life

by Frank J. Matera

Overview

Saint Augustine once described the Sermon on the Mount as "the perfect measure of the Christian life." Taking his cue from Augustine, Frank Matera provides an exposition of the sermon for contemporary readers who wish to use the sermon as the standard by which they live their lives every day.

Matera shows how the Sermon on the Mount summons believers to single-minded devotion and wholehearted service to God. He unfolds the historical and theological background to the sermon. He explores the meaning of the individual Beatitudes, which articulate Jesus' call for a more abundant righteousness, piety without hypocrisy, and the need to become "doers" of the Word.

This lively and engaging commentary is an ideal resource for adult education and Bible study groups. It is also ideal for all who want to live their discipleship more fully.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814635483
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	03/01/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	136
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Introduction: The Sermon on the Mount and the Christian Life 1

The Sermon on the Mount as the Norm of Discipleship 3

The Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain 5

The Sermon on the Mount within the Gospel of Matthew 9

The Structure and Theme of the Sermon on the Mount 12

The Text of the Sermon on the Mount 14

1 The Blessings of the Kingdom and the Nature of Discipleship 27

The Disciples and the Crowds (5:1-2) 28

The Disciples1 Assurance of Beatitude (5:3-12) 30

Blessed are the poor in spirit (5:3) 32

Blessed are those who mourn (5:4) 34

Blessed are the meek (5:5) 35

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (5:6) 37

Blessed are the merciful (5:7) 38

Blessed are the pure in heart (5:8) 40

Blessed are the peacemakers (5:9) 41

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (5:10) 42

Blessed are you when people revile you (5:11-12) 43

The Disciples and World (5:13-16) 44

2 Living a More Abundant Righteousness 47

The Law and the Prophets Fulfilled (5:17-20) 47

The Six Antitheses (5:21-48) 50

Not even anger (5:21-26) 52

Not even the lustful look (5:27-30) 53

Faithfulness to one's spouse (5:31-32) 55

Telling the truth at ail times (5:33-37) 57

Overcoming evil through love (5:38-42) 60

Loving even the enemy (5:43-48) 62

3 Piety without Hypocrisy 67

The Danger of Hypocrisy (6:1) 70

Giving in Secret (6:2-4) 71

Praying in Secret (6:5-6) 73

How to Pray (6:7-15) 74

Fasting in Secret (6:16-18) 84

4 Single-Minded Devotion to God 86

Where Your Treasure Is (6:19-21) 88

If Your Eye Is Sound (6:22-23) 89

Only One Master (6:24) 91

Do Not Be Anxious (6:25-34) 92

Do Not Judge (7:1-5) 97

Protecting What Is Holy (7:6) 100

Asking with Confidence (7:7-11) 102

The Law and the Prophets (7:12) 104

5 The Need to Do Jesus' Words 106

The Two Ways (7:13-14) 107

False Prophets (7:15-23) 109

Doers of the Word (7:24-26) 113

The Authority of Jesus1 Word (7:28-29) 115

For Further Reading 119

Editorial Reviews

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


The centrality of the Sermon on the Mount for Christian faith is undeniable. With his classic clarity and succinct style, Frank Matera captures ‘the perfect measure’ of the Sermon that has inspired Christians throughout the ages to follow Jesus Christ. In this deceptively small book, Matera offers an impressive interpretation of Jesus’ teaching that is attentive to both ethical and spiritual dimensions of the text. This book can serve very well in classroom settings, Bible study groups, or simply for personal spiritual enrichment. I highly recommend it.
Ronald D. Witherup, SS, Superior General of the Society of Saint Sulpice in Paris, France, and author of numerous books on the Bible and theology


Accessible to anyone in the church who seeks to have a faith and life informed by this central and most meaningful sermon of Jesus.
Interpretation

From the Publisher