Beatitudes: Recently I was reading a book in which I came across the 9th beatitude, “Blessed are those who dream for they will be the creators of the kingdom of God today. I was very happy when I read this because I dream a lot. Instances of some dreams for any people
I continued reading then I understood that it is not just dreams but dream about God and His love, for they will become the creators of heaven.
In today’s gospel Jesus focuses on the qualities, he wishes to see in his disciples, qualities that are exemplified in the lives of the saints. A glance at the beatitudes shows that they are a complete reversal of conventional values and standards.
1. The worldly wisdom says “Blessed are the rich for they can have everything they want.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” By ‘poor in spirit’ Jesus means blessed are those who put their trust in God rather than in money.
2. The world says, “Blessed are those who live it up” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn.” It is only those who are capable of loving who are capable of true mourning. To open one’s heart is to begin to live.
3. The world says, “Blessed are those who are tough.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who are gentle.” Gentleness is not weakness as many think, but a form of true strength.
4. The world says “Blessed are those who hunger for power, status and fame.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger for justice and what is right.” To live rightly is what life is all about.
5. The world says, “Blessed are those who show no mercy and give no quarter.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful.” Happy are we who make allowances for the weaknesses of others, and whose greatness is in their ability to forgive.
6. The world says, “Happy are those who have clean fingernails, clean teeth and clean skin!” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have clean hearts.” If the heart is clean then all that flows from it will be clean.
7. The world says, blessed are the fighters and the bullies.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Happy are those who spread understanding and bring reconciliation where there is conflict, they are true children of God.
8. The world says, “Blessed are those who lie and cheat and get away with it.” But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who make a stand for what is right, no matter what the cost.” The wounds they bear will be honorable wounds.
Conclusion: The beatitudes then are the mark of a true disciple of Jesus; they are the standards by which we measure holiness. The beatitudes are ultimately the attitudes of Christ and the saints which all of are meant to have in our daily life
a. The first beatitude: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit.
b. The second beatitude: Blessed are they who Mourn
c. The third beatitude: Blessed are the Meek.
d. The fourth beatitude: Blessed are they who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
e. The fifth beatitude: Blessed the Merciful for they will obtain Mercy.
f. The sixth beatitude: Blessed are the Clean of Heart
g. The seventh beatitude: Blessed are the Peacemakers
h. The eighth beatitude: Blessed are They who are Persecuted
