BEATITUDES SERMON ON THE MOUNT Matthew 5:3-12 The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham.

The solemn blessings (beatitudines, benedictiones) mark the opening of the Sermon on the Mount the very first of Our Lord’s sermons in Matthew.

We are all Called to share whatever we have with others. 1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Having no money is not an automatic “in” to heaven Being rich is not an automatic ticket to hell Jesus wants us to see all forms of poverty and helplessness as a symbol of their total dependence before God. We are all Called to share whatever we have with others.

2. “Blessed are they who mourn for they will be comforted.” If God is our total concern Our heart must weep for the insults thrown into God’s face by injustice in the world. We are to comfort those who suffer injustice and loss.

3. “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land.” The biblical meaning of meek is unassuming and tolerant. Matthew 12:20 -The meek can restrain their anger -They can be tolerant. -They are not lordly, overbearing or upity. -They are not wimps, or overly submissive. Yet they will go the extra mile, turn the other cheek The meek are gentle but firm of faith, Peaceable but uncompromising.

You are hungry for the food of God! 4. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied.” If you are poor in spirit --in touch with your inner poverty and finiteness— you need something to fill you. You are hungry for the food of God! You want “justice”, a good relationship with God, you want God’s will to be done for all. This justice is what we hunger for and this spiritual hunger is as all consuming just like the need for material food.

5. “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.” If God cleanses our hearts we must then know what it means to feel mercy. Forgiving others should be no big deal if I have tasted God’s love and forgiveness. If you can rise above your own pain and go into the suffering heart of another --even someone who continues to hurt you— you know the compassion of the Father. You enter into the compassion of Jesus, who could say, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)

CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY Feed the hungry - We are called not only to feed but to contribute in formation of legislation to prevent hunger in the world (Mt. 25:34-35) Give drink to the thirsty - We are called to give water but also to actively protect the worlds water supply and prevent waste (Ps 41:17-18) Clothe the naked -The poor are increasing in number. We are called not only to lift them up but to control our own debt. (Lk 3:7-11) Shelter the homeless - Assist in finding homes for all who are without by shaping the social policies of our nation and the world. Visit the sick - Visit the sick but step beyond the visit to protect the terminally ill and the defenseless. Visit the imprisoned - Ransom the captive not simply those imprisoned due to crime but the victims of age, handicap, latch-key and unemployment. (Dt 24:17-22) Bury the dead - Show true Christian community in not only attending funerals but in helping the living to mourn. Aid in decreasing the cost of burial.

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY Instruct the Ignorant - Become a teacher, instruct others in spirituality and craft Counsel the Doubtful - Bear witness to confidence in Christ throughout your day-to-day life (Mt 14:31) Admonish the Sinner - We have a social responsibility to reject and name sin (Mt 18:15-20) Bear wrongs patiently - Suffering has potential for spiritual growth bear it with patience and dignity (1 Peter 2:21-23) Forgive offenses - Healing travels astride forgiveness. One can not occur without the other (Lk 22:33-34) Comfort the Afflicted -We must walk with others in their pain giving hope through our presence (Luke 14:27) Pray for the living and the Dead - We must daily lift up to God the needs and concerns of others (Rom 8:26-28)

6. “Blessed are the clean of heart for they will see God.” We have all known people who leave a pleasant atmosphere behind them and others a trail of sadness and anger. A clean person is open to God--ready to be filled with God’s presence! “Clean of heart” refers to the spotlessness and honesty of the whole person.

We are to bring people together. 7. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” Jesus didn’t leave us a formula for making peace. Peacemaking comes more easily for the poor in spirit--who can see the beauty of reconciliation--than for the proud-hearted, who only see the need to avenge their hurts. We are to bring people together.

8. “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Courageous people of all ages suffer ridicule simply for being standing up for justice and equality and the values of Christ. We are to live out our Christian faith even when others do not understand our beliefs.

St. Thomas Aquinas “The eighth beatitude is a confirmation and a declaration of all those that precede. Because from the very fact that a man is confirmed in poverty of spirit, meekness and the rest, it follows that no persecution will induce him to renounce them. Hence the eighth beatitude corresponds in a way to all the preceding seven.”

The eight conditions required in the Beatitudes constitute the fundamental law of the kingdom, they very center of Christian perfection.

Homework: Activity p100 Create a third column and write how you will or can live out the specific Beatitude.