The Beatitudes

Blessed are they!

When he saw the crowds, [Jesus] went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.-Matthew5:1-12

Jesus called the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, and those who are faithful to God even in persecution as blessed persons.

These blessed people have one thing in common – love. Yes, they know how to love God and/or others. It is very ideal to be one of these blessed persons, and perhaps we are like them, too, in certain instances of our lives. But, Jesus encourages us that the core of it all is love.

Image courtesy: various artists