Scripture: Luke 6:20-26
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger. "Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
Meditation: When you encounter misfortune, grief, or tragic loss, how do you respond? With fear or faith? With passive resignation or with patient hope and trust in God? We know from experience that no one can escape all of the inevitable trials of life - pain, suffering, sickness, and death. When Jesus began to teach his disciples he gave them a "way of happiness" that transcends every difficulty and trouble that can weigh us down with grief and despair. Jesus began his sermon on the mount by addressing the issue of where true happiness can be found. The word beatitude literally means happiness or blessedness. Jesus' way of happiness, however, demands a transformation from within - a conversion of heart and mind which can only come about through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit.
True happiness can only be fulfilled in God
How can one possibly find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning,
and persecution? If we want to be filled with the joy and
happiness of heaven, then we must empty ourselves of all that
would shut God out of our hearts. Poverty of spirit finds ample
room and joy in possessing God alone as the greatest treasure
possible. Hunger of the spirit seeks nourishment and strength in
God's word and Spirit. Sorrow and mourning over wasted life and
sin leads to joyful freedom from the burden of guilt and
oppression.
The beatitudes strengthen us in virtue and excellence
Ambrose (339-397 A.D), an early church
father and bishop of Milan, links the beatitudes with the four
cardinal virtues which strengthen us in living a life of moral
excellence. He writes: "Let us see how St. Luke encompassed the
eight blessings in the four. We know that there are four cardinal
virtues: temperance, justice, prudence and fortitude. One who is
poor in spirit is not greedy. One who weeps is not proud but is
submissive and tranquil. One who mourns is humble. One who is just
does not deny what he knows is given jointly to all for us. One
who is merciful gives away his own goods. One who bestows his own
goods does not seek another's, nor does he contrive a trap for his
neighbor. These virtues are interwoven and interlinked, so that
one who has one may be seen to have several, and a single virtue
befits the saints. Where virtue abounds, the reward too abounds...
Thus temperance has purity of heart and spirit, justice has
compassion, patience has peace, and endurance has gentleness."
(EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.62–63, 68).
No one can live without joy
God reveals to the humble of heart the true source of abundant
life and happiness. Jesus promises his disciples that the joys of
heaven will more than compensate for the troubles and hardships
they can expect in this world. Thomas Aquinas said: "No person
can live without joy. That is why someone deprived of spiritual
joy goes after carnal pleasures." Do you know the joy and
happiness of hungering and thirsting for God alone?
"Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for you and show me the way that leads to everlasting happiness and peace. May I desire you above all else and find perfect joy in doing your will."
Psalm 145:2-3,10-13a
2 Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and
ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be
praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your
power,
12 to make known to the sons of men your mighty deeds, and the
glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion
endures throughout all generations.
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Jesus, though rich, became poor for us, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"'Blessed,' it says, 'are the poor.' Not all the poor are
blessed, for poverty is neutral. The poor can be either good or
evil, unless, perhaps, the blessed pauper is to be understood as
he whom the prophet described, saying, 'A righteous poor man is
better than a rich liar' (Proverbs 19:22). Blessed
is the poor man who cried and whom the Lord heard (Psalm 34:6).
Blessed is the man poor in offense. Blessed is the man poor in
vices. Blessed is the poor man in whom the prince of this world (John
14:30) finds nothing. Blessed is the poor man who is
like that poor Man who, although he was rich, became poor for our
sake (2 Corinthians 8:9). Matthew fully revealed
this when he said, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit'
(Matthew 5:3). One poor in spirit is not puffed up, is
not exalted in the mind of his own flesh. This beatitude is first,
when I have laid aside every sin, and I have taken off all malice,
and I am content with simplicity, destitute of evils. All that
remains is that I regulate my conduct. For what good does it do me
to lack worldly goods, unless I am meek and gentle?" (excerpt
from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.53-54)
Scripture quotations from Common Bible:
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright
1973, and Ignatius Edition of the Revised Standard
Version of the Bible, copyright 2006, by the
Division of Christian Education of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ in the United
States of America. Used by permission. All rights
reserved. Citation references for quotes from
the writings of the early church fathers can be
found here.
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