Jesus gave us a guide for how we can be holy, and how we can live holy lives.
We call this guide the beatitudes.
Spend some time in prayerful reflection with this gospel reading:
Matthew 5:3-12 (NRSVCE)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
What do you think these might mean?
Re-read them together and discuss.
The beatitudes turn our ideas of power and wealth upside down.
They remind us that we are holy when we are gentle, when we rely on God, when we are patient, when we work for justice, when we are kind, when we are generous, when we persevere in hard times. They remind us that God is present with us in those times of trouble and God walks with us and give us hope, for a better way to be.
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'Read the beatitudes once more and replace 'blessed' with 'God is with the ...',
then replace it with 'Holy ...'.
You can finish your time of reflection by watching one of these videos.
The first video explains holiness and how we can live it.
The next is the sung response we sing/say together at every Mass.
The third is a prayer for holiness.
The first video explains holiness and how we can live it.
The next is the sung response we sing/say together at every Mass.
The third is a prayer for holiness.
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