Today’s Gospel reading is the beginning of Matthew’s version of the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. To many the “Beatitudes” may seem unwise and impractical; yet I understood fully and deeply reflected upon, they are indeed fruits of great wisdom.
In a way these ideals may provide keys to solve many of the problems in our broken world. The reality is that everyone is poor and broken in so many different ways.
These beatitudes or blessings describe those who are open to the grace of God and allow the reign of God to become active in their lives in the midst of the brokenness and sinfulness of the world.
Given only in the Matthean version, Our Lord warns his disciples of persecutions to come; at the same time he consoles them, comparing them to the prophets of old who were also persecuted for their work.
Indeed in our lives, we may find it so difficult to live by what the beatitudes teach us, especially if what we do goes against “conventional wisdom.” However, it is possible, if we will allow the Holy Spirit into our lives to enable us to live in the spirit of the beatitudes.
As we reflect on the way we live and the way we deal with others, can we truly say that we live out the beatitudes in our lives?