THE BEATITUDES

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Poor (Gk) o Materially poor and destitute o One who has nothing at all Poor (Hb) o A. materially poor o B. oppressed downtrodden and without influence o C. those who have only God to save them inspirit (Mt) those who are humbled and lowly of heart poor in spirit o The condition of being completely dependent on God. o Those who live in radical trust in and with dependence on God. o Does not mean an acceptance of poverty. o It demands a real change of heart which results in the choice to live a good and generous life for others. o are those that keep their eyes on God and their heart open to his divine workings. Poverty at its worth dehumanizes persons; it deprives them of their right to a decent human life where they have enough food to nourish their bodies, a basic education that will form them as good persons in society, a land or space and a house where they can grow in the case and security of a home. The first Beatitude that indicates the path that every person must walk. It tells those that live in material poverty that their dignity, their human dignity must be preserved and that their inviolable human rights must be cherished and protected. The first Beatitude tells the rich, who enjoy material well-being or who accumulate a disproportionate share of material goods, that persons are great not by reason of what they possess, but by what they are - not by what they have but by what they share with others. POOR IN SPIRIT is the one who holds political power and remembers that it is given for the common good only, and who never ceases to devise means to organize all sectors of society according to the demands of the dignity and equality that is the birthright of every man, woman and child that God has called into existence. - PJP II Means to share what they have with those who have less and to work towards a more just and equal distribution of wealth and power through change of systems and structure in society.

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Panthern (Gk) poignant, piercing and intense mourning I issued for the mourning of the dead, the national catastrophe and fear of divine punishment. Mt - mourning is a expression for a moral attitude. Realization of the reign of God the reign of the justice and compassion of God. Mourning touches the core of our human condition. If we are able to being comfort, consolation and restoration to those who mourn, we must be first healed of our own brokenness. In our pouring of ourselves to others, we experience a sense of a newness and wholeness a new zest and enthusiasm for life.

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land. The Third Beatitude speaks of a human virtue from whose lack the world is suffering. The Beatitude calls us to becoming signs of Gods meekness in a world of violence. The meek are gifted with the capacity to bear hurts and are not easily provoked to anger. They do not also take revenge quickly. Their spirit is tranquil and stable. They have the passion to right the wrong, as well as the compassion to heal the wronged and to offer renewal to the wrongdoer.

They who have given to God their all-embracing trust, obedience and surrender are they who can truly be meek of heart. Blessed are the persons who are meek of heart, for to them are promised the inheritance of the land. To inherit the land describes the true identity and security which we find in God. The promise of the Beatitude is the answer to a fundamental human longing for land, a space in which persons can be themselves in freedom. Interpretation of what the Gospel called land according to John Heeneth Galbraith in his book, The Affluent Society, 1. It is the satisfaction in the power with which it endows the individual 2. It is the physical possession of things which money can buy. 3. The distinction or prestige that wealth can give. Meekness comes from the deep conviction and experience of Gods power within us as we totally dedicate ourselves to the divine will and plan. To be meekness means to use power for service, to render possessions to empower the poor, and to take advantage of ones prestige to advance the cause of those who are deprived.

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Hunger and thirst are two basic human needs. Thirst is often the symbol of an ardent desire for God. Biblical image The Beatitude urges a moral attitude characterized by an energetic and ardent longing for the vindication of what id right, for the triumph of the righteousness that is Gods. To seek Gods righteousness is justice. Justice is the fulfillment of Gods will, of Gods demands. Blessed are the persons who desire Gods righteousness so passionately that they are willing to exert effort and to risk everything else to attain it here and now. The Church never disassociates herself from the temporal problems of her members. She remains close to the poor and suffering; she longs for justice and peace; and she concerns herself with the concrete needs of the faithful. Christian love commanded by Christ and inspired by the Spirit. Justice remains the first demand of love it is the practical expression of love. NCDP (National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines) Only when the poor are given not from the excess of the rich but of their just share, according to what is due to their honest work and labor, is authentic Christian love truly practiced. The deepest hunger and thirst of the human heart is the thirst and hunger for the righteousness of God, fulfilled and realized in justice.

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall attain mercy. The Fifth Beatitude calls us to be men and women of mercy. For a world where there is no mercy and compassion, God is dead. Our most basic experience of God is the experience of divine mercy. Mercy means more then pity for someone in trouble. It is not simply an emotion. It is an action. Mercy is the kindness of God to undeserving persons; thus, it is given to them as a pure gift from Gods own heart. The power o mercy overcomes the power of selfishness. Without mercy, there is no love, for mercy is love in action, love made concrete and present. Mercy means more than pity; it is not simply an emotion. It is the ability to get right into the situation of other persons, so we can see with their eyes, think with their minds, and feel with their hearts.

6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

To be pure in heart does not directly focus on the sinless or chaste. It is a call in the midst of the demands and challenges of life in pain or joy, in anxiety or joyful expectation and in grief or in celebration. This Beatitude is addressed to all men and women who earnestly seek God in all things and who base their lives on Gods will.

When we search our hearts, we know that to be pure of heart would demand that we truly die to ourselves in Christ. Purity of heart means a total and wholehearted commitment to Gods will and plan. To see God which is the Beatitude promises. seeing God, which is the gift of intimacy and communion with God. Purity of heart is every persons vocation to seek Gods will in all things. To be pure of heart is to center ones life on God, in and through ones concern and compassion for others.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Peace id the only hope of a future for our broken world; thus, to be a peacemaker is the vocation of every man, woman and child. Shalom, Hebrew, (peace) points to the human condition where people live in complete harmony with themselves, with others, nature and God. The biblical concept of peace concerns that total person, the whole world of society, the whole world. To be a son of God means to be in communion with God, in Gods predilection (preference) of love. Peace is the fruit of justice. CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, 26 January 1987) The task of forging a just and lasting peace is a delicate as that of nourishing love between persons. Peace is from the heart. CBCP stresses that peace must be built on the authentic human values of love, justice and truth. Peace is founded on justice. Peace id founded on truth. Peace cannot be built on lies, deceptions (dishonesty) and manipulations. Truth is intrinsic to the attainment of peace. When truth is compromised, peace is denied. Peace liberates and unites people. Peace is both grace, a gift of God and a human task. A peacekeeper Is not a peacemaker. True peacemakers struggle against all the obstacles to attain true peace, even if it may cost them their own safety and, if need be, their lives. Peace is founded on love, justice and truth. Peace is a total and integral human reality.

8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Truly blessed are those who suffer and die for the supreme value of their life. Person who suffers for righteousness is a reality in Jesus; thus, the person who suffers for righteousness does not suffer for something but for somebody. The blessing is explicitly expressed in the clause rejoice and be glad.

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