Our Catholic Faith Living What We Believe Christian Moral Life: The Beatitudes U Guidance U Called to Happiness

What do you think about when you hear the word happiness? Are you really happy? What does it mean to you? Many people have different ideas about happiness. Some may think that true happiness is found when we have no problems in life or when we get whatever we want. But Jesus had a different idea about what true happiness is. We are going to be looking at that in today's lesson. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described the traits of a person who is “blessed.” The world looks for happiness in many different places—in relationships, in money, in things, and in popularity. But these things do not really bring us happiness. Real happiness is found only in having a relationship with Jesus and following His teachings. The word "blessed" can also be read “happy” and refers to the spiritual joy of those who have a relationship with Jesus. Always remember in your life that real happiness is ONLY found in following Jesus.

Christian Moral Life: The Beatitudes Guidance Good laws, rules, and regulations are formed in part to help keep us safe In the Beatitudes, Jesus offered a deep examination of the Christian life of love and service to others

Does God really want us to be happy? Yes, God wants us to be happy Only God’s goodness and love can satisfy our hunger for true happiness From the beginning of creation, God desired humans to share in his divine nature Jesus left us a “blue-print” for happiness: we are to keep his commandments and live the Beatitudes

The Beatitudes The Beatitudes complete the promises that God made to Abraham They show us how to fulfill our desire for happiness They teach us how we should live in order to reach our eternal destiny of union with him

The Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus wants us to recognize our spiritual poverty – everything we are and everything we have are gifts from God. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Jesus blesses those who know that only God’s righteousness can fulfill us. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land. Jesus treated others with gentleness and compassion – we too should be patient with the weaknesses of others. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Jesus blesses those who mourn over injustices and evils committed against God’s people in need.

The Beatitudes Blessed they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Suffering for faith in Jesus is a great sign of love for him and if we remain faithful to him, he will reward us with eternal happiness in Heaven. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. A person with a clean heart has a single-minded commitment to God. Blessed are the merciful, they will be shown mercy. Our forgiveness of others, especially our enemies, is a sign to the world of a merciful God who loves everyone. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Christians are, and must be, peacemakers.

Meaning of each Beatitude Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven To be poor in spirit is to remember that we cannot depend on possessions, but only on God and his unfailing love. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. To mourn is to be sad when we see people who are in pain because of sin, sickness, death, etc. .

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. To decide to do what God requires is to see that justice is carried out. It is to work for good relationships between people and peace among nations. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land. To be humble is to realize that our abilities come from God. We need to use them to do good for others. Blessed are the merciful, they will be shown mercy. To be merciful is to have compassion on people in need and to forgive those who have injured us.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. To be pure in heart is to put God first and always do what is right. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. To be a peacemaker is to reconcile with others and love our enemies.

Blessed are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is kingdom of heaven. To be persecuted because we do what God requires is to have the courage to follow Him inspire of criticisms and persecutions

Make an acronym out of the words "Happy and Blessed". What characteristics and traits that can make people happy and blessed? HAPPY AND BLESSED