Tuesday, February 16, 2016

The Beatitudes: eight blessings

Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
This is no simple set of rules. Their whole attitude and outlook is to be transformed: from the inside out. Their goal is a goodness like God's which knows no bounds.
The Beatitudes:

  • Blessed are the poor in spirit  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Blessed are those who mourn  for they will be comforted.
  • Blessed are the meek  for they will inherit the earth.
  • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.
  • Blessed are the merciful  for they will be shown mercy.
  • Blessed are the pure in heart  for they will see God.
  • Blessed are the peacemakers  for they will be called children of God.
  • Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousnessfor theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus turns ordinary human ideas about happiness upside down. Contrary to general opinion, it is not the rich, the 'see right prevail', readiness to forgive, having their hearts set on God, peacemaker.
Their reward will be to receive what they long for.
Why?
When crowd come Jesus went up to a mountain instead of stay with them or living in the city, because Jesus did not want the power from the crowd.
How?
Follow these eight rules and the blessing will come to us.

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