The Beatitudes

By Liz Wiskowski

    One of my favorite passages in the bible is Matthew, Chapter 5. The sermon on the mount: the beatitudes. God wants us to be happy, and the beatitudes show us how. In fact, you can substitute the word “happy” for the word “blessed” and they make perfect sense. The word blessed comes from the Greek work macarious, which describes a God-like joy that the happenings of this world cannot take away.

    Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This trait is the opposite of pride. Proud people are easily upset. The poor in spirit realize their own helplessness and put their trust in God.

    Blessed (happy) are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. We mourn our sins and mistakes and can seek forgiveness from God and from our fellow man. We can say “I was wrong, I’m sorry, forgive me”, and find peace and joy. When our hearts are broken, we often find the kindness of our friends, and are comforted.

    Blessed (happy) are the meek, for they shall inherit the land. This doesn’t mean that we should be spineless, but that we must have humility and patience, know our own weaknesses and ignorance, and allow ourselves to be attentive to God’s will.

    Blessed (happy) are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. We must want complete justice for everyone, and submit to God’s plan for us and live with self respect.

    Blessed (happy) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The merciful here are those who can get right inside other people, and know their thoughts and feel their pain, get inside their minds and hearts. They help relieve the suffering of mankind. They show mercy and in return will receive mercy.

    Blessed (happy) are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. I take this as a warning. We must keep ourselves free of evil desires and purposes. Our motives in daily life must be absolutely clean.

    Blessed (happy) are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. In every society, in every church there are troublemakers who cause bitterness and quarrels. They are doing the devils’ work. But then there are the people who heal the Bitterness, soften the breaches, in whose presence strife cannot grow, who make peace between people and between God and man. I think some of the greatest peacemakers are parents. They are doing God-like work.

    Blessed (happy) are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. When people reproach you, speak falsely against you, and you can stay calm and hold your head up high, you will become stronger. We aren’t persecuted like the early Christians. Death doesn’t await us because we are Christians. But we are accused of being too religious. We are mocked and laughed at. But remember this: Christ needs His witnesses not to die for Him-but to live for Him. And we will be happy.