The Beatitudes

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Master Gives His Sermon on the Mount The setting of the Sermon on the Mount is significant: “Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain...” The setting parallels Moses’ experience on Mt. Sinai delivering God’s commandments to Israel. The tablets of the Mosaic Law were brought down Mt. Sinai and given at the foot of the mountain - they were weak and not ready to ascend into God’s presence.

Moses Coming Down the Mountain

Moses Going Up to Get God’s Laws

Jesus (God Made Flesh) Coming Down the Mountain to US

We Are All Ready for God’s Message

Christ brings disciples up the mountain to receive his teaching. Jesus himself fulfills the New Law perfectly and empowers the Church to live it faithfully through the Holy Spirit. The Beatitudes are descriptive of Christ’s interior life. To live the Beatitudes is to “put on” the heart of Christ.

Each blessing builds upon the one before it; the beatitude of spiritual poverty is thus the foundation for all of them.

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” The “poor in spirit” exercise Fear of the Lord, a gift of reverence for God that awakens the soul to its weaknesses. While this includes the powerless and the materially poor, it refers to those who recognize their moral weakness. With a humble spirit, they live detached from earthly goods and seek the kingdom.

2. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” Those who “mourn” exercise knowledge. They recognize that one cannot, with human effort alone, reach the blessedness of heaven.

3. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” The meek person is a humble “doer” of God’s will. They exercise piety that moves the soul to worship. Meekness is not weakness, but humility and faith in God especially during trials. Meekness is a willingness to take wrong patiently. Meekness is gentleness in dealing with others.

4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” exercise might (fortitude). . Righteousness: These people desire God’s will to be known and fulfilled in their lives. Shall be satisfied: Those who seek and desire God’s righteousness receive it as a heavenly gift.

5. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” The “merciful” exercise counsel, the gift that assists decision. It assists one to counsel others and to extend compassion to them. Those “satisfied” with God’s righteousness and mercy long to extend that gift to others. They imitate God by forgiving their neighbor and seeking to remedy material and spiritual injustices in the world (CCC 2447) - works of mercy.

6. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” The “pure in heart” exercise understanding, the gift of insight into the mysteries of faith. It is not a mere intellectual understanding but the spiritual perceptions of the heart. The heart signifies the center of the person and the source of love and obedience – it is the origin of every act and decision.

7. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” The “peacemakers” exercise wisdom, More than a mere absence of conflict, true peace stems from reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sins. The “pure in heart” already stand in God’s peace as his children. They seek to extend his gift to others by sharing the gospel (CCC 2305).

8. “Blessed are those who are 8. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Those who are persecuted: the “peacemakers” who spread the Gospel encounter persecution.