The Beatitudes as Guideposts

The Beatitudes as guideposts is the Subject of this Big B File.

The Beatitudes are guideposts for us in a number of ways. They tell us how we are to treat others, just like the first, fifth, and seventh beatitudes tell us. They are guideposts of how we should be as Catholic Christians. They are guideposts that tell us for no other reason other than just being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Let us now examine the beatitudes in detail.

The first beatitude is basically an exercise in humility. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” is saying that we need to be humble. I certainly feel like I fit that category. I was humbled the day before Christmas Eve when I received a Christmas Card in the mail that said “Your Faith inspired me this year” and came with five $20 dollar bills inside along with the card being unsigned and having no return Address inside it. . . .by the way thank you.

The second beatitude is telling us that God is with us . . . even when we grieve, no matter what that grief is. “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” is twofold. First, it is okay to feel a loss because God will be there to comfort us in our time of need. It can be any type of loss . . .a loved one, loss of a job, etc. But at the same time, we must also be there to comfort those in their time of need, whatever that need is.

The Third beatitude, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land” is also an exercise in humility. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land” means that we are to be humble in how we are to live and not be self-righteous or self-absorbing like the Pharisees were of Jesus’ time. It is in this beatitude that Jesus says it is those who are humbled that will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

The fourth beatitude, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” is also an exercise in humility. In this case, Jesus says that we must always work to be humble and that those who desire to be humble in life will in the end achieve the righteousness prescribed in the above beatitude.

The fifth beatitude, “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy” refers to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and how we should be toward others and what the Lord will do in response as a reward.

The sixth beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” refers to those who not only live peacefully but do their best to preserve peace among mankind and with God.

The Seventh beatitude “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God” refers to the promise from God for those who follow his ways will be assured of seeing God in the coming kingdom of Heaven.

The eighth beatitude, “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” tells us that we will be rewarded with inheriting the Kingdom of heaven for enduring attacks against us for simply following God’s will.

The verse following the beatitudes which says,” 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. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you” tells what to expect to have come at us for simply being Catholic Christians… what those who hate us are willing to do to us. The second half says our reward will be great for enduring persecution and that others before us endured persecution all because of their faith.

In a nutshell, the beatitudes are guideposts to show us how we all should live as Catholic Christians.

And that’s the Big B Files. Click on the comments link below and tell me what you think…. I’m Bryan Hewing.