Analysis of the Ordination Sermon 

"You are the salt of the earth, salt with a saving savor. But if this salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men."

During Jesus' time, salt held immense value and was even used as a form of currency. Interestingly, the modern term "salary" finds its origins in the word "salt," reflecting the historical significance of salt as a valuable commodity. Salt was a precious and indispensable resource in ancient times.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and be led to glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Although light has the power to eliminate darkness, it can also be overwhelming if it is too bright. We are encouraged to let our light shine in a way that guides others towards better and more Godly ways of living – not drawing attention solely to ourselves. Even our chosen vocation can reflect and spread the light of life to those around us.

Unselfishness is the mark of true human greatness. The pinnacle of self-discovery is reached through worship and service. A content and effective individual is driven not by the fear of doing wrong but by the love of actually doing what is right.

Personality is changeless; it is the moral character that evolves and grows through change. The primary flaw in many modern religions lies in their tendency towards negativism. Moral value cannot solely arise from repression and prohibitions like "Thou shalt not." Fear and shame are not good motivations for genuine religious living. The true validity of any religion is found in its revelation of the fatherhood of God and its promotion of the brotherhood of all humanity.

Our own unique understanding of the heavenly cosmos coupled with our total emotional responses to our social and economic conditions will help us craft a successful philosophy of life. Although inherited urges may never be eliminated, our emotional responses to those urges can be transformed, thereby allowing for modifications in our moral nature and improvements in our character.

As we grow stronger in character, our emotional responses are harmoniously integrated and coordinated, leading to the emergence of an integrated and unified personality. On the other hand, a lack of such integration weakens the moral nature and gives rise to feelings of discontentment and unhappiness.

If we don’t have a meaningful and worthwhile goal, life can become purposeless and unfulfilling, leading to considerable unhappiness. Jesus' address during the ordination of the twelve presents a profound philosophy of life. He encouraged his followers to practice experiential faith, emphasizing that they should not rely solely on intellectual agreement, gullibility, or blind obedience to established authority.

Education should serve as a means to learn and discover more effective methods of satisfying our natural and innate desires. The resulting happiness comes over time, from a cumulative effect of these improved ways of finding emotional fulfillment. While pleasant surroundings can certainly contribute to happiness, true contentment is not solely dependent on external factors or the environment. It is primarily shaped by the knowledge and application of enhanced techniques for emotional health and satisfaction.

Every human being deeply desires to become whole and perfect, just as the Father in heaven is perfect. The realization of this aspiration is achievable because ultimately, the "universe is truly fatherly."

From the Sermon on the Mount to the discourse of the Last Supper, Jesus imparted teachings to his followers that encouraged them to express a higher form of love – fatherly love, rather than just brotherly love. Brotherly love means loving your neighbor as you love yourself, which would be a satisfactory fulfillment of the "golden rule." However, fatherly affection goes beyond this and requires you to love your fellow human beings as Jesus loves you. It emphasizes a deeper, selfless, and compassionate love that mirrors the love and care of a father for his children.

Jesus understands us and knows that we may not always be able to achieve perfect brotherly love, but he does ask us to make a sincere effort to mirror the perfection of God in our lives and attempt to love our fellows as he loves them – to show all people a fatherly affection. In his sermon he related this concept to our day-to-day lives through four faith attitudes that are a prelude to the realization of the fatherly attitudes

These beatitudes strengthen the moral character and they create inner happiness. They are the opposite of fear and anger, which destroy happiness.

"Happy are the poor in spirit— the humble."To a child, happiness is the immediate gratification of desires and seeking pleasure. But when we become more mature, we are willing to postpone instant gratification in order to experience greater and more lasting happiness in the future.

Those who are poor in spirit aim for spiritual growth rather than material wealth and seek a deeper connection with God. Such truth-seekers don't have to wait for distant rewards; they find the kingdom of heaven within their hearts and experience happiness now. Their pursuit of spiritual goals brings them a sense of fulfillment and joy that transcends material possessions and worldly achievements.

"Happy are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."Only those who feel poor in spirit will ever hunger for righteousness. Only the humble seek for divine strength and crave spiritual power. Embracing spiritual growth through deep connection with God is highly beneficial. And this kind of moral living is a pleasure, rather than a duty. The love of Jesus is dynamic, both fatherly and brotherly. It is always positive.

"Happy are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."True meekness is rooted in a harmonious alignment with the divine will – "Your will be done." It encompasses qualities of patience and forbearance, driven by an unwavering belief in a just and benevolent cosmos. This genuine meekness empowers individuals to overcome temptations that might lead them astray from divine guidance. Jesus, the model of meekness on earth, inherited a magnificent universe by embodying these virtues. His life serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the rewards of embracing a meek and cooperative stance with divine forces.

"Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."Spiritual purity is a positive attribute that is free from suspicion and the desire for revenge. When Jesus spoke about purity, he went beyond solely addressing human attitudes towards sex. Instead, he emphasized the faith that one should have in their fellow human beings. This kind of faith enables individuals to love others with the same affection and care a father has for his children. A genuine father's love does not indulge or excuse wrongdoing, yet it remains devoid of suspicion. It possesses a clear and devoted purpose, always seeking the best in others – the true embodiment of a nurturing parent's attitude.

As you come to know the Father through this spiritual journey, your divine sonship is affirmed, providing a strong sense of assurance in your relationship with the divine and his guiding spirit within you. Consequently, your capacity to love your fellow human beings expands, not only as a brother or sister with brotherly love but also with a fatherly affection – a compassionate and nurturing love that is a transformational experience.

Children possess a natural trustfulness that parents should cherish and nurture. Deal with children honestly; any form of deception should be avoided. And never plant seeds of suspicion in their minds. Guide children wisely in selecting their role models and life paths. Encourage them to choose heroes who embody virtues worth emulating and support them in exploring potential lifework that aligns with their interests and passions.

Jesus presented a higher standard to his apostles than simply loving their neighbors as they loved themselves. He encouraged them to go even further than brotherly love – to love others as he had loved them, with a combined fatherly and brotherly affection. To exemplify this profound love, he highlighted four supreme expressions of fatherly love:

"Happy are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted."Jesus spoke of a different kind of mourning – one that involves a tenderhearted emotional attitude, not outward displays of grief. It's a grave mistake to teach young boys that showing tenderness or emotional feelings is unmanly. Both males and females can possess sympathy, and it doesn't require a hard heart to be considered manly. Creating courageous men involves embracing sensitivity and responsiveness to human needs. Some of history's greatest men, like Moses, were not afraid to mourn. Moses was a superior leader compared to Samson or Goliath. Embracing compassionate attitudes leads to genuine and lasting happiness while safeguarding the soul from negative influences like anger, hate, and suspicion.

"Happy are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."While mercy can sometimes be passive, in this case, it is active and dynamic, reflecting the essence of supreme fatherly love. A caring parent finds it easy to forgive their child, even repeatedly. In an unspoiled child, the innate inclination to relieve suffering comes naturally. And children typically develop kindness and sympathy once they can understand and appreciate real-life circumstances.

"Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God."The peace that Jesus offers is not passive or negative; it's a profound and transformative kind of peace. Even in the face of trials and persecutions, he left behind his peace as a gift to his followers, saying, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." This peace is powerful enough to prevent destructive conflicts. It brings harmony to one's personality, fosters social unity by dispelling fear, greed, and anger, and promotes political stability by eradicating racial antagonisms, national suspicions, and the threat of war. Peacemaking is the antidote to distrust and suspicion.

Children have a natural inclination to function as peacemakers. They enjoy teamwork and playing together. As the Master once said, "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life shall find it," suggesting that true fulfillment and peace are found in selflessness and working for the well-being of others.

"Happy are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven."It is true that peaceful people can experience persecution, but young people and courageous adults should not avoid difficulties or dangers. As Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends," and a fatherly love can freely embrace such sacrifices, which may be beyond the capacity of brotherly love. Throughout history, progress has emerged as the ultimate outcome of dealing with persecution.

Children are naturally eager to take on challenges and accept dares. It is crucial for every child to learn the value of sacrifice from an early age. By understanding the importance of selfless acts and bravery, children can grow into individuals who contribute to a better, progressive world.