[LearsFool]

In a few short statements (the beatitudes), Jesus has described the kingdom candidate.

The Law was intended to make people fit for the kingdom. But the everyday Jew had been so starved and neglected - not to mention devoured and led astray - by the priests and scribes, that the Law had not had its intended effect. Hence His preaching just a few verses earlier (Matt. 4:17), "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

But some of those neglected sheep might have been inclined to say to Him, "This is new! What about the Law?" - especially when He goes further in describing the kingdom candidate. Jesus seems to anticipate that reaction, and before proceeding with His sermon, He explains: "Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil." (5:17)

Someone might reply, "You say we need to repent. But the Pharisees are the strictest law-followers, and we've been following them."

"For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven." (5:20)

He then proceeds to pile up examples of nitpicky law-teaching that completely missed - and even obscured - the meaning of the Law. If the Law had been "written on their hearts" as God wanted, they would've been poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart...and persecuted...and fit for the kingdom!

[Salvation]

Becoming the Beatitudes – A Lenten Meditation on the Gift of the Life Jesus Died to Give Us
Pope at Mass: Christian consolation and the law of the truly free

Happiness: Blessed are Those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (Part 3)
Happiness: The first three Beatitudes (Part 2)
Happiness: Ancient and Modern Concepts of Happines (Part 1)
The Beatitudes: Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake
Learning the beatitudes during Lent -- use your Rosary to learn the Beatitutdes [Catholic Caucus]
The Beatitudes: Blessed Are the Peacemakers [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Beatitudes: Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
The Beatitudes: Blessed Are the Merciful
The Beatitudes: Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
The Beatitudes: Blessed are the Meek

The Beatitudes: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
The Beatitudes: Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
The Beatitudes
Lists Every Catholic Should be Familiar With: The 8 Beatitudes
The Beatitudes: Generosity and Happiness
Beatitudes by Bishop Fulton Sheen
Happiness of Sacrifice
The Danger of Spiritual Sloth [Reflection on The Beatitudes]
Satan's version of the sermon on the mount [Difficult read]
The Eight Beatitudes