THE BEATITUDES

Matthew 5:1-12

In life, everybody wants to be blessed and happy. In today’s gospel which is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives the beatitudes. The word beatitude literally means "happiness" or "blessedness".  What is the significance of Jesus' beatitudes, and why are they so central to his teaching? The beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness that God has placed in every heart.  They teach us the final end to which God calls us, namely the coming of God's kingdom, the vision of God, entering into the joy of the Lord and into his rest.  Jesus' beatitudes also confront us with decisive choices concerning the life we pursue here on earth and the use we make of the goods he puts at our disposal.

But looking at these beatitudes, we can see that they are a sign of contradiction to the world's understanding of happiness and joy. How can one possibly find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution?  The people Jesus considers and calls happy, are those the world would call wretched. We know that very often the world’s values are opposite to Jesus’ values. The world says: “You’re a classic warrior when you divide and conquer your enemies.” Jesus says: “Blessed are you the peacemakers.”  The world says: “Be strong, don’t depend on anybody, mind your own business, be in control and be rich!” Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, the gentle, the merciful and the pure of heart.” The world proclaims: “Never show weakness, pretend that everything is alright even if it is not, flee suffering and pain, don’t cry.” Jesus says: “Blessed those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst for what is right.” The world says: “If they accuse you, fight back and tell the world they are lying, get lawyers who are good in making counter accusations, the truth is not the issue here.” Jesus proclaims: “Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you…on my account.”

The important thing to understand here is that poverty of spirit finds ample room and joy in possessing God as the greatest treasure possible.  Hunger of the spirit seeks nourishment and strength in God's word and Spirit.  Sorrow and mourning over wasted life and sin leads to joyful freedom from the burden of guilt and spiritual oppression.  God reveals to the humble of heart the true source of abundant life and happiness. Jesus promises his disciples that the joys of heaven will more than compensate for the troubles and hardships they can expect in this world.