Jesus’ so-called “Sermon on the Mount” provides key instructions for living as intentional disciples (Matthew 5-7).

Today’s Gospel, popularly known as “The Beatitudes”, begins Jesus’ longer discourse on discipleship (Matthew 5:1-12).

Although we hear Jesus repeatedly say , “Blessed are …”, the actual biblical word – makarios – is an adjective (not a verb) and it strictly renders, “happy.” Thus, Jesus literally declares over and over, “Happy you …”. In this manner, Jesus isn’t cataloguing blessings as much as he offers clear direction for discovering deep and lasting happiness.

Happy You Who are Poor in Spirit = Practicing Humility

• I am a steward, not an owner, of God’s gifts. When I live in this manner, my possessiveness decreases and my freedom increases – so also my happiness. Why would I ever want to act as though I graduated from God?

Happy You Who are Mourning = Practicing Empathy 

• We discover comfort for pain of our losses by extending compassion to others in theirs.

Happy You Who are Meek = Practicing Gentleness

• Standing strong and exercising patience in the face of  difficulties, not retaliating to the offenses and hurts caused by others.

Happy You Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness = Practicing Justice

• Passionately pursuing right relationship with God; that is, seeking to please God in everything we say and do. And equally committed to doing right toward others.

Happy You Who are Merciful = Practicing Forgiveness

• To the degree we dare to seek, received and live underneath divine mercy, we will be able to forgive the offences and hurts caused by others.

Happy You Who are Pure in Heart = Practicing Truthfulness

• When we earnestly strive for integrity – what we say is who we are – character is strengthened and the truth is championed with no need for compromise.

Happy You Who are Peacemakers = Practicing Friendship

• The world marks peace as a negotiated agreement, however the biblical understanding of peace is the very presence and power of Christ that makes possible easy friendship with God and others.

Happy You Who are Persecuted for the Sake of Righteousness = Practicing Love   

• Good always is received whenever we suffer for love of Jesus as the experience itself draws us closer to the Crucified Christ.

O Sweet Jesus, you perfectly lived the beatitudes. Open wide our minds and hearts to receive your superabundant grace so that we might live more completely as your intentional disciples and, with your help, shape our parish ever more into your community of intentional disciples. Amen.