T HE D ECALOGUE AND THE B EATITUDES Ch. 18

W HAT D O Y OU W ANT M OST ? The Parable of the Rich Young Man How do the Beatitudes fulfill the Decalogue?

OLD AND NEW LAWS Mosaic Law: refers to the Law of Moses The Decalogue The Laws which set the Jews apart from the rest of the world Guided EVERY aspect of moral life Christ elevated the Old in the New The New Covenant included Mosaic Law Personal happiness is linked to personal holiness The New Law transforms our hearts

OLD AND NEW LAWS The Decalogue is enriched by the Beatitudes Ten Commandments are the foundation on which Jesus built his radical law of love

T HE D ECALOGUE A-K-A The 10 Commandments Comes from Greek word for “ten” (Deka) and “Word” (logos) Can you name them? 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10:

T HE B EATITUDES Blessed are the poor in spirit… Blessed are those who mourn… Blessed are the meek… Blessed are those who hunger and thirst… Blessed are the merciful… Blessed are the pure in heart… Blessed are the peacemakers… Blessed are the persecuted… Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven!

T HE P ERFECTION OF THE M ORAL LAW God created us to be happy, both here and for eternity in heaven True Happiness involves loving, serving, and giving ourselves to others. The word Beatitude comes from the Latin word meaning “blessed” or “blissfully happy” The OT covenants describe blessings that are perfected in NT teachings

C OUNTERCULTURAL What are the elements of our culture? How would you characterize our modern culture? The Beatitudes reject pursuit of fame, wealth, pleasure The Beatitudes lead us to perfection because they help us to imitate Jesus perfectly… HOW?

PERFECTION OF THE MORAL LAW Ten Commandments free us from falsehood, dishonesty, anger, deceit, resentment, etc. Beatitudes help us to live the Law of Love.

PRACTICING… The Holy Spirit helps us to live the Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit… Detach yourself from worldly goods Subordinate “things” to “people” How might our “poverty” help us help others? Blessed are those who mourn… Suffering draws us closer to Christ Suffering helps us atone for sin How can suffering help us to grow?

PRACTICING… Blessed are the meek… Humility, gentleness, and obedience are characteristics of discipleship True humility helps us endure suffering and disappointment, responding with forgiveness. How can humility unite us with Jesus, the “suffering servant”? Blessed are those who hunger… The desire to bring Christ to others will find fulfillment. An ache that can only be filled by Christ How can placing God’s will above all else help you become an instrument for the salvation of the world?

PRACTICING… Blessed are the merciful… We are called to share God’s mercy with others A promise and a warning: love begets love, mercy begets mercy How can we show God’s mercy to others? Blessed are the pure in heart… Self-centered lives focused on pleasure prevent us from seeing God in others A pure heart has a central place for God, avoids using others for pleasure How can we keep our hearts pure and show genuine love for others?

PRACTICING… Blessed are the peacemakers… True peace is not only the absence of conflict, but the fruit of holiness. Being a peacemaker means witnessing to the truth- not compromising beliefs. Who are the peacemakers in our world today? How can you be one? Blessed are those who are persecuted… Those who suffer for Christ will be rewarded. Dry/White Martyr: one who suffers for Christ w/o dying How are you called to be a witness for Christ?