The Beatitudes

The Beatitudes
Happy are you when you are drawn to the
One who alone can fulfill your happiness.

The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus’ preaching. They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham. The Beatitudes fulfill the promises by ordering them no longer merely to the possession of a territory, but to the Kingdom of Heaven:

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 meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

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 sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

The beatitude we are promised confronts us with decisive moral choices. It invites us to purify our hearts of bad instincts and to seek the love of God above all else. It teaches us that true happiness is not found in riches or well-being, in human fame or power, or in any human achievement – however beneficial it may be – such as science, technology, and art, or indeed in any creature, but in God alone, the source of every good and of all love, a fitting Gospel message for February 14.

In other words we should not view our day to day situations from worldly perspective, but from that of God, our Creator, the One who breathed life into us, the One who gave us our talents and treasures. All that we have is not ours but His. Use our gifts for His good, and our life will not be perfect, but it truly will be easier and more F U N. Once we acknowledge that every breath we take is at the Mercy of God, we find it easier to ask Him for guidance daily. Live the beatitudes – Let Go and let God.

“The only thing I think you need to ask for is fortitude,
interior strength and outward determination,
so that you may be wholly convinced
of the words that you speak
and be a Christian not only in name and words,
but also in deed."
St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Romanos 5,2

Blessed Are They
By David Haas
 

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Sources

CCC 1716-1723

 Matthew 5:3-12