The Beatitudes

A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS

• 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 in 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.

 Reference: Mt. 5:1-12

Many centuries before Jesus was born, God made a promise to us. Through the prophet Ezekiel, we learn He promised to gather his people, cleanse them and impart on them a new spirit “I am going to take you from among the nations and gather you together from all the foreign countries, and bring you home to your own land. The prophet Ezekiel (Ez.36:26-27) taught us:  ”I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them.” The Beatitudes are a summary of the principles of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus discussed in the Sermon on the Mount. It is a model to live by. The Beatitudes describe what it means to be a child of God and belong to God's kingdom. It is a description of what it means to live Christ-like. It gives us a way to live by a set of standards and attitudes that go beyond the law. It teaches that people are blessed even in hard times because they will receive eternity in heaven.

Each beatitude begins with “Blessed are…” the first taste of life eternal. Life eternal, Heaven, is a life totally in Christ. “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” “Blessed are” means Happy. Jesus wishes for us to be happy people, because we are going to get to eternal life, and that’s a very happy place.

1.  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

People who are poor in spirit recognize that everything good comes from God as a gift, and they treasure what they receive. They do not desire material things. So when we are poor in spirit, we are ready for the kingdom of heaven, and most of all we are happy (‘Blessed’).

2.  Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Usually we mourn for family members who died, e.g. father, mother, sisters and brothers, but also family members such as nieces and nephews, as well as good friends. Jesus tells us that those who mourn will be comforted.

3.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Those who are quiet will inherit the world. Meek in the Greek literature of the period most often meant gentle or soft. Many people are belligerent and harsh: they are not meek.

4.  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

In its deeper spiritual meaning, righteousness is the quality of being right in the eyes of God, including character (nature), conscience (attitude), conduct (action), and command (word). Righteousness is, therefore, based upon God's standard because He is the ultimate Lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22).

5.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

When we are compassionate towards others, we will be shown mercy when we are in need of compassion and help.

6.  Blessed are the clean in heart, for they will see God.

People who are clean in heart, who try hard not to sin, who are friendly to other people and who smile a lot, they will see God (they will get to Heaven).

7.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

People who pursue reconciliation, trust, accountability, humility, and love, and who strive to create meaningful relationships, are peacemakers.

8.  Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

When you are martyred for your faith, your righteousness, your zeal in living your life for God, you will go to Heaven.

An excellent explanation of the Beatitudes is found in:
Deacon Douglas McManaman. “The Beatitudes: A Concise Summary.” CERC (June, 2014). https://catholiceducation.org/en/culture/the-beatitudes-a-concise-summary.html

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