Matthew 5:1-12a
Seeing
the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came
to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: "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
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What
is the good life which God intends for us? And how is it related with the
ultimate end or purpose of life? Is it not our desire and longing for true happiness,
which is none other than the complete good, the sum of all goods, leaving
nothing more to be desired? Jesus addresses this question in his sermon on the
mount. The heart of Jesus' message is that we can live a very happy life. The
call to holiness, to be saints who joyfully pursue God's will for their lives,
can be found in these eight beatitudes. Jesus' beatitudes sum up our calling or
vocation – to live a life of the beatitudes. The word beatitude literally
means "happiness" or "blessedness".
What
is the significance of Jesus' beatitudes, and why are they so central to his
teaching? The beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness that God
has placed in every heart. They teach us the final end to which God calls us,
namely the coming of God's kingdom, the vision of God, entering into the joy of
the Lord and into his rest. Jesus' beatitudes also confront us with
decisive choices concerning the life we pursue here on earth and the use we
make of the goods he puts at our disposal. God alone satisfies. Theresa of Avila's
prayer book contained a bookmark which she wrote: "Let nothing
disturb you, let nothing frighten you; All things pass: God never changes.
Patience achieves all it strives for. Whoever has God lacks nothing, God alone
suffices." Is God enough for you? God offers us the greatest good
possible – abundant life in Jesus Christ and the promise of unending joy and
happiness with God. Do you seek the highest good, the total good, which
is above all else?
The
beatitudes which Jesus offers us are a sign of contradiction to the world's
understanding of happiness and joy. How can one possibly find happiness in
poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution? Poverty of spirit finds ample room
and joy in possessing God as the greatest treasure possible. Hunger of the
spirit seeks nourishment and strength in God's word and Spirit. Sorrow and
mourning over wasted life and sin leads to joyful freedom from the burden of
guilt and spiritual oppression. God reveals to the humble of heart the true
source of abundant life and happiness. Jesus promises his disciples that the
joys of heaven will more than compensate for the troubles and hardships they
can expect in this world. Thomas Aquinas said: "No one can live without
joy. That is why a person deprived of spiritual joy goes after carnal
pleasures." Do you know the happiness of hungering and thirsting for
God alone?
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"Lord
Jesus, increase my hunger for you and show me the way that leads to everlasting
peace and happiness. May I desire you above all else and find perfect joy in
doing your will."
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