The Beatitudes

Today's Reflections

The Beatitudes 

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Mt 5:1-12a

¹When he saw the crowds, [Jesus] went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. ²He began to teach them, saying:

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit,/ for theirs is the kingdom of heaven./ ⁴Blessed are they who mourn,/ for they will be comforted./ ⁵Blessed are the meek,/ for they will inherit the land./ ⁶Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,/ for they will be satisfied./ ⁷Blessed are the merciful,/ for they will be shown mercy./ ⁸Blessed are the clean of heart,/ for they will see God./ ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,/ for they will be called children of God./ ¹⁰Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,/ for theirs is the kingdom of heaven./ ¹¹Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. ^12aRejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Reflection

Blessed. The poor in Jesus’ time are not merely the peasants or deprived people but those who are powerless and marginalized. Because they have practically nothing, they depend and hold on to God as their treasure and power. The mournful are those who weep because of the death of their loved ones. God is their hope and his kingdom is their ultimate end. The meek are those who endure injury without resentment and with patience. The righteous are people who act in accordance with God’s will. Mercy signifies unlimited compassion. And the persecuted suffer because they are faithful to God.

They are all blessed because God in his grace and goodness has chosen to be on their side. God stands by them and for them as their true provider and protector. They are assured of God’s intervention as they turn to God and trust him in the midst of their agonies and problems, sufferings and persecutions.

We are called to be blessed, to be saints.

The Beatitudes give us the ways and means:

being poor in spirit, mournful, meek,

hungry and thirsty for justice, merciful,

clean of heart, peace-loving, patient.