The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching.

They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham.

mark the opening of the

Sermon on the Mount

the very first of Our Lord’s sermons in Matthew.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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)

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.

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.

Courageous people of all Courageous people of all ages suffer ridicule simply ages suffer ridicule simply for being standing up for for being standing up for

justice and equality and the justice and equality and the values of Christ.values of Christ.

We are to live out our Christian faith We are to live out our Christian faith even when others do not even when others do not understand our beliefs.understand our beliefs.

8. “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of

righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“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.

Create a third column and write how you will

or can live out the specific Beatitude.