The Beatitudes

Reflection

How do we get to heaven?  That’s a very important question.  We try to follow the commandments.  We try to go to church.  All in all, we try to be good.  In our quest, we do well to remember the simple direction that Jesus gives us in the Beatitudes.  If we follow them, we can be assured of heaven.  I say the plan is simple, but in reality, it’s quite complicated.  Into our world Christ calls us to be poor, mournful, justice-seekers, peace-makers, pure and willing to suffer persecution.

Scripture

Matthew
Chapter: 5

The Sermon on the Mount

 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the side of a mountain and sat down.^a 
Jesus' disciples gathered around him,   ²and he taught them:

  ³God blesses those people who depend only on him.
They belong to the kingdom of heaven!
  ⁴God blesses those people who grieve.
They will find comfort!
  ⁵God blesses those people who are humble.
The earth will belong to them!
  ⁶God blesses those people who want to obey him
more than to eat or drink.
They will be given what they want!
  ⁷God blesses those people who are merciful.
They will be treated with mercy!
  ⁸God blesses those people whose hearts are pure.
They will see him!
  ⁹God blesses those people who make peace.
They will be called his children!
  ¹⁰God blesses those people
who are treated badly for doing right.
They belong to the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹God will bless you when people insult you.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for coming into our world and giving us your truth.  Help me to listen to the challenge of the beatitudes.  They are tough.  But with your help, I’ll succeed.  May you be glorified in my efforts.  Amen.