The Beatitudes as Diagnosis

 

At the moment in the Catholic mass when the wine is consecrated, the priest used to say Christ’s blood was shed “for all.” Pope Benedict corrected this to say “for many,” in accordance with the Bible.

The difference is critical, Jesus did not come for all; all will not be saved. Nothing could be clearer in the gospels. “For all” was a bit of the “happy happy joy joy” Christianity I find so offensive.

Jesus announces in detail whom he has come for, and who will be saved, in the Beatitudes.

They read like a guide to what psychiatry commonly calls depression; almost like something from the DSM, the North American psychiatric standard text.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted. 

Blessed are the gentle,

for they shall inherit the earth.  

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (--Matthew 5:3-122, WEB)

Meditate on this checklist:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 

1. Are you poor in spirit? Does material poverty somewhat appeal to you, and ostentation make you uneasy? Do you fast?

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted. 

2. Are you often sad? Are you sad apart from circumstances? Are you sad for others? Do you feel the weight of the world’s troubles?

Blessed are the gentle,

for they shall inherit the earth.  

3. The word translated here as “gentle” is ambiguous: King James has it as “meek,” others as “powerless.” “Low self-esteem” is a reasonable approximation. Do you feel powerless? Do you avoid drawing attention to yourself? Do you prefer to step lightly in the world?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they shall be filled.

4. Is seeing justice done important to you? If playing a game, do you always follow the rules? Does it upset you to see others treated unfairly?

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

5. Are you magnanimous in victory? Do you dislike having to impose discipline on others?

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they shall see God.

6. Do you tend to say what you think, unfiltered? Or do you tend to have motives for your words or actions? Do you calculate their effect on others?

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called children of God.

7. “Blessed are the peacemakers” does not mean being diplomatic, and certainly does not mean pacifism. “Peacemaker” was a common title for a Roman Emperor in the First Century—most of whom were professional soldiers. A policeman is a “peace officer.” Do you foment and encourage conflict among others, or do you try to treat everyone fairly and keep the peace?

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

8. Have you ever been criticized or punished for doing what you thought was the moral thing to do? Have you been forced by others into moral dilemmas? Have you persisted despite such criticism or punishment?

Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

9. Have you been falsely accused, accused of deeds or traits that are not your own? Has this happened often?

If you can answer yes to more than, say, three or four of these questions, you are a melancholic. 

It should be encouraging to hear that you will inherit heaven and earth. Keep that in mind when you are depressed.

Luke’s gospel goes on to give contra-indications. Being rich, well-fed, and happy are not signs of God’s favour. No happy-happy joy-joy here.

Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,

    for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

The surest sign of a good man is that he has adamant enemies.

Jesus goes on to advise actions. Consider this a prescription.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

“Good deeds” does not mean the obvious, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and such. For these deeds, Jesus says later, are to be done in secret. Moreover, the poor and persecuted described here are not in a position to do much in this regard.

Rather, he means works of art; also commonly referred to with words cognate to “deeds”: "art," “works,” “plays”, “essays,” “opera.” He identifies melancholics as true prophets. Their work is to do what prophets do: to speak out. Just as salt brings savour out in food, just as the light of a lamp makes things clear, they shed light on the world, and, specifically, make the world more beautiful.

And that is what you are commissioned to do if you are melancholic. Contrary to crude popular opinion, true art is not “self-expression.” It is inspiration, speaking in a voice you do not recognize as your own. If you are a melancholic artist, it is the voice of God.