Reflecting on the Beatitudes

I guess most of us have heard or read about the beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1-12). However, have you ever looked at them with some depth? As I read them I found out that they actually encompass all the values we need to be Happy people in this life and in the one to come. Well, the world around us tells us how we can be happy, but let us discover what Jesus says about real happiness.

Every statement on the beatitudes begins with the word blessed. If you go to the Greek text, you get not just one meaning, but many, which include favor and happiness in addition to blessing. In other words, we could say "Happy are the poor in spirit" or "Blessed are the poor in spirit." Friends, we find happiness only when the following values are found in our hearts:

• humility, obedience and dependence on God and God's word
  
• mercy
• hunger and thirst for God's presence in our lives
• being people of peace, welfare and health

These values help us relate to God, ourselves and others in the way that God's kingdom grows on a daily basis. When they are put into practices, there are the results that happen in our lives, and these are are:

• We are welcomed in God's kingdom and community in the present and the time after life
• We are comforted even when we go through challenges, oppositions and persecutions
  
• God fills us with God's Spirit and presence
  
• We find favor and mercy before God and humans
• We see God in our everyday life
• We are called God's children

I would like to make sure that you pay attention to Jesus' ending words in this Scripture. He finishes asking his disciples to always rejoice and be glad because what they would go through even prophets had the same experience. Happiness therefore does not exclude tribulations, temptations and challenges. These are on the path we, Christians, are and we cannot avoid or prevent from having tough times.

Like what Jesus said when he prayed for his disciples in John 17 that we are in the world, but not do not belong to the world. This is we will go through situations that humans experience, but the difference is that for us, Jesus will walk with us. We will be comforted and always find favor before God.

Friends, you're a very special person and know that you have what you need to make a difference in your life and that of the people around you!


Be always blessed and encouraged!

Emmanuel