So what exactly are we supposed to act on? Let’s start with Christ’s Sermon on the Mount often called The Beatitudes "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. 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 the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Exactly what do these mean in relation to living out Christ’s teachings?
Blessed is the poor in spirit, means to be Humble, because humbleness is the gate which leads to
the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the mourners, are those who face many difficulties, such as sin, illness,
And other impediments which could cause them to loose faith and block the way to God but instead hold
fast in their trust in God. God’s infinite mercy and love will sustain and comfort them.
Blessed are the meek, are the people who do not give in their own desires, but put their trust in the Lord.
They will be rewarded with the inheritance of the earth, which means through their convictions and trust in
God they will gain everlasting live. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after Righteousness, means
that by doing the Will of God by worship, being welcoming to All God’s Children, compassion for the
Needy, concern for equality and justice and their generosity in supporting the work of their Faith
community and their neighbors they will have a place in heaven.
Blessed are the merciful not only for giving alms to support the work of their Faith community and the poor
and needy, but especially for giving of themselves in helping others who are lee fortunate, they are showing
living examples of God’s infinite Mercy and Love. Blessed are the pure in heart, are those who are
honest in every thought and action with no guile toward anyone. They will have the abiding companionship
of God to carry them through the tough times.
Blessed are the peacemakers, are those who work diligently against violence between neighbors and
nations, and work to resolve human difference through peaceful means. They are the instruments of
God’s Divine peace. By attempting to bring peace to others they are acting as God’s true servants.
Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake. These are the people who are ridiculed and scorned
because of their faith in God but never-the-less bear it with silence and returned love to those who scorn
Them for they are acting as Christ acted to those who persecuted Him.
Blessed are you, when men shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; Sums up all of the Beatitudes for it reminds us that just as those prophets of old who were ridiculed and rejected, just as Christ was rejected as well, will most certainly have a place with the prophets in heaven.
Being a true Christian is living out Christ’s teachings every day of our life. It is not just an occasional attendance at Mass or a brief prayer before meals or going to bed, but it is in every action, word and thought we have.
As today’s readings and Gospel affirm, “A Person is justified by faith and not by doing something the Law tells him to do.”. “Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock” . As the old adage reminds us; “ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS” and so it is with Almighty God. It is not by our words alone that we will be saved, but how we have carried out Christ’s teachings. AMEN
back to top
