Embrace the Beatitudes – Reflection on Matthew 5:1-12
In one sweeping poetic way, in the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches us the path to understanding how the kingdom of heaven can be made available to use. Jesus also prepares us to look forward to heaven, which is not yet fully known. If we embrace the Beatitudes, they help us learn and practice being blessed in saintly ways. To be blessed means that self-decreases, interior spiritual hunger increases, and an outlook forms toward helping mankind for corporal and spiritual restoration. Most importantly, the Beatitudes are a way of allowing God to guide us. In the context of Jesus’s desire for us, they are the qualities of Christ that we must assume to become fully human and fully divine while in the world.
The Sermon of the Beatitudes by James Tissot (full-resolution painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 5:1-12 and Matthew 5:1-12a – Scripture*
The Beatitudes
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 5:1-12 Reflection – Embrace the Beatitudes.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 5 Bible passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: The Beatitudes
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Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.