1. The Beatitudes

2. Sermon on the Mount  Jesus came to earth to fulfill the Old Testament  His life spoke love from beginning to end Jesus gave only one commandment, to love, he presented many ideas for living  Once, when a crowd gathered to hear him speak, he gave what has come to be known as the "Sermon on the Mount"  Jesus came to earth to fulfill the Old Testament  His life spoke love from beginning to end Jesus gave only one commandment, to love, he presented many ideas for living  Once, when a crowd gathered to hear him speak, he gave what has come to be known as the "Sermon on the Mount"

3. Sermon on the Mount  The Sermon on the Mount presents a vision and summary of how the disciples of Jesus are to bear witness to their faith in him  These actions are key to what it means for you to participate in the Eucharist at a deep level (fully, actively, and consciously participating in the Eucharistic celebration)  The Sermon on the Mount presents a vision and summary of how the disciples of Jesus are to bear witness to their faith in him  These actions are key to what it means for you to participate in the Eucharist at a deep level (fully, actively, and consciously participating in the Eucharistic celebration)

4. Faith Decision The Beatitude Beatitude in Contemporary Language Beatitude in Action Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. People who have faith and trust in God above all else know God loves them. Keep God first in their lives.

5. The Beatitudes Matthew 5:3-11 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.

6. Small Group Exercise  Form small groups. Each group will work with one of the Beatitudes  One person in each group will play the role of Jesus speaking to the crowd. Before the person plays this role, your group must help him or her know exactly what is meant by the Beatitude assigned to the group.  Once every small group has had time to prepare, the "Jesus" from each group will present his or her Beatitude to the other groups. He or she should respond thoughtfully to questions and give practical examples of how to act out this Beatitude. The group that worked with each "Jesus1' should be ready to support that person. The other small groups will make up the crowd and serve as a sounding board for the ideal that Jesus speaks of in this particular Beatitude.  The spirit of the crowd should not be one of antago­nism, but rather of genuine interest and trust. The people in the crowd are looking for direction. They are filled with questions.  Form small groups. Each group will work with one of the Beatitudes  One person in each group will play the role of Jesus speaking to the crowd. Before the person plays this role, your group must help him or her know exactly what is meant by the Beatitude assigned to the group.  Once every small group has had time to prepare, the "Jesus" from each group will present his or her Beatitude to the other groups. He or she should respond thoughtfully to questions and give practical examples of how to act out this Beatitude. The group that worked with each "Jesus1' should be ready to support that person. The other small groups will make up the crowd and serve as a sounding board for the ideal that Jesus speaks of in this particular Beatitude.  The spirit of the crowd should not be one of antago­nism, but rather of genuine interest and trust. The people in the crowd are looking for direction. They are filled with questions.

7. Summary  Homework Memorize the Act of Contrition See website or page 113 of your Faith First book  Closing Prayer  Homework Memorize the Act of Contrition See website or page 113 of your Faith First book  Closing Prayer