flowers 2005 photo

 

June 12 2006 The Beatitudes

Mt 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

"Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me." This beatitude is difficult to live, but I know that in true faith there should be no hesitation to suffer as Christ suffered. There is no reason to run from this if persecution is a part of following Christ and being faithful to a Gospel life, lived in truth with an open and clean heart.

At times acts of ignorance or injustice, just plain do not make sense. It always makes sense and gives purpose to my life to follow God's will for me in all that I do. With the path that God has made for me all things are possible in God. The acts of a few who "persecute for the sake of righteousness" are meaningless in the light of the cross and the love of Jesus for me in remaining steadfast in my love. I love others but put God first in my life. I believe that all will be well as long as I prefer nothing to the love of Christ and am loving and Christian in all that I do to all persons and creatures of the earth.