Matthew 5:1-12
1 Jesus saw the crowds and went up a hill, where he sat down. His disciples gathered round him,
2 and he began to teach them:
3 “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them!
4 Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!
5 Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!
6 Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!
7 Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!
8 Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!
9 Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children!
10 Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them!
11 Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.
12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.”
Other readings: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24:1-6; 1 John 3:1-3
LECTIO
Matthew’s Gospel is structured around five major teachings of Jesus, mainly to his disciples. The first of these is centred on what is often called the Sermon on the Mount, or the Beatitudes.
The radical differences between the “Kingdom of Heaven” – Jesus’s rule as Lord and King being established on earth – and the earthly kingdom lie at the heart of this sermon.
Jesus sums up the lifestyle and attitudes that bring true happiness, or blessing, in nine statements. These are very different from what the world would say brings happiness. In fact, you could almost say the happiness described above is the direct opposite of what people in the world think makes them happy.
In some translations the word “blessed” is used instead of happiness. Another translation could be “contented”. There is a contentment or fulfilment that comes from following and serving God rather than just pleasing ourselves.
This short list of nine Beatitudes sums up the core values of Gospel living. Some are also listed in the Old Testament, but Jesus draws all the threads together to provide us with an excellent reference point to guide our lives. The focus is always on our relationship with God and with others. The saints known and unknown learned this.
So can we. True happiness will only be found in living out these Beatitudes.
MEDITATIO
Which of the Beatitudes stands out for you the most? Which do you find most challenging? Consider how you might put more of Jesus’s teaching into practice in the coming weeks. Look back to the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (February 14) when we considered Luke’s account of this teaching. What strikes you when you compare these two accounts?
ORATIO
Read these Beatitudes through slowly several times. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Make a note of what you feel God is saying to you through this teaching. Ask God to help you in the areas where you feel particularly weak.
Read Psalm 24:1-6. Use these verses during your time of prayer today.
CONTEMPLATIO
“Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children” (1 John 3:1, Jerusalem Bible).
Reflect on the depth of God’s love for you that this verse reveals. Make your own response to God.
