Evangelizing Families
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Dear Friend,
When Jesus called His disciples, He told them to come and follow Him. Jesus wanted His disciples to have His joy that is complete (John 16:24). In this Gospel for Sunday (Matthew 5: 1-12), Jesus taught His Disciples the Beatitudes. He was describing Himself and wants His disciples to become like Him in His joy. Please study the Beatitudes with the family and understand how Jesus described Himself so that the family may emulate Him in His joy.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (v. 3) – In another Gospel, Jesus taught His disciples, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (18:3). Children are “poor in spirit” for they are completely dependent on their parents for survival. So are the disciples dependent on their Father in heaven. Being “poor in spirit” goes deeper than merely economically poor but also are dependent in their development on Him in the other dimensions – psychological, social, educational, and of course, spiritual. The aim of Jesus is complete human development in His disciples.
“Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (v. 4) –
Those who mourn see the value of life. They value life – they are pro-life. They value relationships. They will be blessed with happiness of the Lord.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.” (v. 5) –
There are difficulties living in the “land.” In facing difficulties, the meek are patient and without resentment. They will be blessed with happiness of the Lord.
“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they
will be satisfied.” (v. 6) – Righteousness is what is right in the eyes of God or His will. It is the hunger and thirst for the truth (Jesus is the truth). There is no satisfaction in the hunger and thirst for money, alcohol, or drugs, for example, hence no real happiness.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (v. 7) –
Jesus wanted His disciples to meet the people’s need of help, forgiveness and compassion. It is the value of “For-Otherness” of the kingdom opposite selfishness. They will be blessed with happiness of the Lord.
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.” (v. 8) –
“Clean of heart” or “pure in heart” is being honest and sincere with one’s self in looking at one’s goodness and limitations to identify the means provided by God to come to Him as well as the obstacles that prevent it. They will be blessed with happiness of the Lord.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”(v. 9) –
To make peace is to reveal the truth with love without which there can only be distrust and resistance. They will be blessed with happiness of the Lord.
“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (v. 10) –
Those who have unwavering faith in the Lord in spite of persecution have a rightful place in the kingdom. Faith is another value of the kingdom. They will be blessed with happiness of the Lord.
“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.” (v. 11-12) – This is a continuation of the previous verse but the teachings are now directed personally to the disciples with a “You” telling them to be steadfast on their belief in Him, for their reward is great in heaven.
Lesson for Disciples
Jesus lived all these Beatitudes, the disciples experienced the life of Jesus and in turn passed it on to the communities they established. They, too, must be poor in spirit, pro-life, meek, discerning of God’s will, merciful, clean of heart, peacemakers, and faithful to the Lord.
FAMILY DIALOGUE & PRAYER
Jesus described Himself to the disciples that they may become like Him. Talk about how each one in the family may also become poor in spirit, pro-life, meek, discerning of God’s will, merciful, clean of heart, peacemakers, and faithful to the Lord. Mention simple acts to show such characteristics.
Pray for each other to gain experiences in being disciples of Jesus.
Fr. Franco Pereira, S.D.B.