The Beatitudes

A Reflection

By Fr. Frank Hegel, S.F.M.
March 2005

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In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10), Jesus gives us a map guiding us in the ways that must govern our everyday lives and become an integral part of who we are. In short, they are our ways of "being."

Blessed are the poor in spirit:

Keep your focus on the poor; be in solidarity with those whom the world denies the basics of life including the sick, the homeless, the hungry, the illiterate, the unemployed.

Blessed are those who mourn:

Offer your friendship to the lonely, the abandoned and those society considers different; create a dialogue with those who apparently differ from us in an attempt to break down barriers that keep us in our ghettos of nations, ethnic groups and religions.

Blessed are the peacemakers:

Do not accept violence, and the competition and hate that leads to violence and separation.

Blessed are the merciful:

Look to overcome the negative situations that produce suffering among us.

Blessed are the pure of heart:

Live with a pure heart, where there is transparency and openness, with no hidden agendas, intentions or hypocrisy.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (justice):

Seek to be in that right relation with God, the world and each other; know that each one of us is a child of God, who calls to God not with our tongue but with our lives.

Blessed are those who are persecuted:

Be a person of hope, trust and joy because Jesus is with us, helping to make possible a new life.

Blessed are the meek:

Take the side of the lowly, those who have no voice, or those whose voice is not heard. Choose an unassuming, kind and gentle way of being. This is not an invitation to be spiritless and passive.

From the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches us that a saint is one who has decided to create a new world where love, solidarity and mutual help reign supreme. The saint knows that this is a long, slow process but does not give up on this radical and combative stance, especially under persecution.

Fr. Frank Hegel serves as Scarboro Missions' Treasurer General.

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