Blessed Now: The Beatitudes as a Promise for Today
Listening the Spirit
Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Word so that all your people may know and love You more and understand You better.
As I go about my day may I not forget the scriptures you have opened up for me.
Help me to recognize how You want for me to apply Your Word to my daily life. Holy Spirit, guided by Your Word, may You enlighten my mind and enkindle in my heart a greater love for You and for others in my family and in the world.
Amen.
Listening the Word: Matthew 5:1-12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he 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."
Reflection
In the Gospel today Jesus is proclaiming the Beatitudes. It is the beginning of his first speech in St. Matthew’s gospel, therefore it is very important, and we must listen carefully, so as to be able to keep these words into our heart and mind.
We see that each one of the nine beatitudes is connected to a promise, but we must not think that these promises concern only eternal life. We must not be deceived by the last promise - …your reward will be great in heaven – which is the only one explicitly concerning eternal life. All the other eight concern also our present life, life here on earth. As an example I will take the fourth beatitude: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
It seems to me that right now, in this present time, we really need this beatitude, because we live in a world where righteousness is a word that has lost its meaning, and justice is not the real justice, God’s justice, but it is the justice of the rich and the powerful.
To those who seek justice, Jesus promised that they will be satisfied. It does not mean that they will be satisfied in heaven, after they die. They will be satisfied starting from now, here on earth. Does that mean that they will see the triumph of righteousness/justice in the world? No, of course. Jesus is telling us that those people who strive to live honestly, following the laws, respecting the rights of the others, and so putting into practice God’s will, will feel happy and at peace with themselves. They will feel contented, satisfied, as people who are hungry feel satisfied after having a good meal with some good drinks.
Reflection Questions
Where in my daily life am I truly hungering and thirsting for God’s righteousness, and where have I become comfortable with the world’s version of justice instead?
Do I believe that living honestly and according to God’s will can already bring me peace and inner satisfaction, even when injustice still seems to prevail around me?
