The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus’ preaching. They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham. The Beatitudes fulfill the promises by ordering them, no longer merely to the possession of a territory, but to the Kingdom of heaven. [1]
Yet, at that time it was hard for his disciples to hear these teachings. All their life they had been told that if they had wealth or good fortunes on earth that meant God was in favor with them, and if they were poor, sick, or outcasts then God had punished them. [2] But here, Christ tells his followers and us that though there are tribulations by following the way of the Beatitudes, they will bring us hope and true happiness. [3]
I “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The poor here refers to those who have little to no material possessions, but who live with their confidence in God. When we see ‘poor in spirit,’ we must realize that it means that no matter what a person’s social rank is they can inherit heaven if their dependence is completely for God. [4] When someone is poor physically, they desire food and money, temporal things. When someone is poor in spirit, they desire God, spiritual and eternal things. Psalm 63 captures the attitude of the soul that is poor in spirit, “O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water.” Poor in spirit can also mean being poor in our inner lives, not puffed up with pride in our spiritual riches like the Pharisees but honest about how much we are lacking and how much we need God’s help.
Pride is self-assertion and selfishness (the opposite of poverty of spirit, which is humility and selflessness). [5] Many times we act as if we can save ourselves, as if we have the ability to take care of all our own needs. Conversely, poverty of spirit is recognition of the fact that we cannot take care of our needs on our own; it is reliance on God for all. When are truly poor in spirit, our souls begin to understand the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.” [6] The Church is reminded of this beatitude as it prays the Canticle of Mary each day during Evening Prayer.
Quick Reflection:
Do I still trust the will of God even when misfortunes or injustices happen to me? Do I strive for greater fortune or higher positions by unlawful means, or would I rather suffer? Do I love my riches and wealth more than God (i.e. Greed)? [7]
If we live our life detached of the love of wealth and money, we will gain everything we ever wanted in Heaven. It is a mistake to think that money will solve all of our problems and make us truly happy. Christ does not say happy are those who are rich in wealth, but rather he says happy are those who are poor in spirit.
II “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
The mourners here that Jesus is speaking of are not of people who mourn and lament over the death of friends and/or family, or over the loss of temporal riches or possessions, but those who mourn that God is so often offended, so little loved and honored by men, that so many souls, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, are lost. [8] Jesus shows the perfect example of this in the eighth station of the cross by meeting the women of Jerusalem. The tears shed on the account of sin are useful, and “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” [9]
Envy resents another’s happiness (the opposite of mourning, which shares another’s unhappiness). [10] We should strive to rejoice with one another and share in happiness, and show compassion when another is suffering. It is evil to rejoice when someone fails or is in suffering. It is evil to be sad when another succeeds or experiences joy. Laughing or rejoicing in another’s misfortune is an example of not living out the beatitude, “Blessed are they that mourn.”
The promise associated with this Beatitude is that those who mourn will be comforted. If we are in mourning now over the evil in the world, we know that this is not a permanent state and that Christ “will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”
III "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land."
In this Beatitude, Jesus is referencing Psalm 37, “...the meek shall possess the land.” The “land” in the psalm is referring to the land of Palestine, however, Jesus means the Kingdom. [11] Being meek is repressing every rising impulse of anger, impatience, desire of revenge, and willingly accepts what God places upon us, or men inflict upon us. [12]
The other benefits of being meek are by controlling one’s self, we become “mightier than if he besieged and conquered strongly fortified cities. [13] By being meek, we follow the steps of Mary who was the meekest of all. By being meek, Satan has an extremely difficult time at getting after us. Meekness is one of the principal virtues of Our Lord. “What are the principal virtues we are to learn of our Blessed Lord? The principal virtues we are to learn of our Blessed Lord are meekness, humility, and obedience.” [14]
Wrath [Anger] wills harm and destruction (the opposite of meekness, which refuses to harm). [15] A classic theme in movies and literature is for the good guy to refuse to harm the bad guy. Many times the bad guy tempts and even wants the good guy to kill them just to prove that the good guy is just as bad as them inside.
IV “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.”
Those that seek out justice or righteousness (depending on translation) refer to those who are looking for the fulfillment of the promises of God. Jesus was the fullness of truth, the fulfillment of the old law. Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies. [16]
For us, we hunger and thirst for the fullness of truth, the perfection of God. When one seeks such perfection with great desire, one will be filled, that is, will be adorned by God with the most beautiful virtues, and greatly rewarded in heaven. [17] When we come to Mass devoutly every Sunday and fully participate in the Mass, then we satisfy this desire for justice and righteousness with the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.
Sloth refuses to exert the will toward the good, even when it is present (the opposite of hunger and thirst for righteousness, which is the passionate desire for good even when it is absent). [18] Are we willing to search out good? Where good is lacking are we ready and willing to restore what is good?
[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church 1716
[2] The Navaree Bible, note to Matt 5:2
[3] Fr. Francis Fernandez; In Conversation with God Vol. 3; 25.1
[4] New American Bible note to Mt. pg. 16
[5] Peter Kreeft; Catholic Christianity; page 199
[6] Luke 1:46-47
[7]The Church’s Year pg. 720-721
[8] The Church’s Year pg. 721
[9] Rev. 21:4
[10] Peter Kreeft; Catholic Christianity; page 199
[11] New American Bible Mt. pg. 16
[12] The Church’s Year pg. 721
[13] Prov. 16:32
[14] The Penny Catechism; The Christian’s Daily Exercise; Question 347
[15] Peter Kreeft; Catholic Christianity; page 199
[16] New American Bible note to Mt. 3:14-15
[17] The Church’s Year. pg. 721
[18] Peter Kreeft; Catholic Christianity; page 199