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Beatitudes

Image by Adina Voicu from pixabay.com

Today’s gospel, the Beatitudes, takes me back to the promise and challenge that is the the very heart of Christian faith. I’m struck by the way it lists so many ways of being:
poor in spirit, gentle, seeking righteousness, mourning, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, the persecuted.

As I list them it occurs to me that none of them are ways of being that society holds in high esteem. Each of them could be called countercultural at the very least, and some would be dismissed out of hand as being naïve or even irresponsible. Yet, Jesus is clearing his teaching that the way to “happiness” is to cultivate and live by these values. He prefaces each one by saying “how happy…” attaching a specific promise to each of them and ending his list with these words of promise:
“Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven…”

The challenge in his words is to keep in mind that the Beatitudes are more then just fine sentiments. They are a call to live in a particular way, to put aside the ways of this world, and to choose to live by the values of the kingdom that Jesus brings into being. That’s not an easy call, it requires self-sacrifice and letting go. It requires that we stand back from the ways of the world, and allow our lives and relationships to be shaped by the different values of the Beatitudes. It seems to me that at this time of uncertainty and of rebuilding we have an opportunity to the values of the Beatitudes at the heart of our lives in a new way. As we move out of lockdown we can choose to put these kingdom values at the heart of our lives so that everyone has the opportunity discover and rejoice in the promise that the bring.

In these challenging and uncertain times how Christ calling you allow the values of the Beatitudes to shape your life and your relationships?