Do you want to be Happy?…

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven…

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted…

Blessed are the meek, for they inherit the earth…

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy…

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God…

Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be called Children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven…

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kings of evil against you because of me.

For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you…

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…

What is Love?

True love is to will the good of the other for their sake (St Thomas Aquinas). To love is an action - to sacrifice and serve others rather than to seek out personal gain from relationships with others.

The Beatitudes, found as Jesus’ introduction of the Sermon on the Mount, reveal a counterintuitive approach to experiencing true happiness; and consequently, true love. Jesus taught that those who are poor in spirit, mournful, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for righteousness' sake are actually blessed. These words challenge societal and conventional norms, suggesting that happiness is not found in wealth, power, pleasure or honor. Rather, it is discovered in a humble and selfless way of living. Jesus' teachings require a shift in perspective, encouraging individuals to find contentment through spiritual poverty, compassion, and a pursuit of righteousness. These guidelines of blessings offer an alternative philosophy that transcends the materialistic pursuit of happiness, leading to a deeper sense of fulfillment through a profound understanding of oneself and the world.

Jesus's teachings in the Beatitudes challenge our conventional understanding of what brings joy and contentment. The word “blessed” used by Jesus, is not describing feelings of happiness, rather it means something closer to “having a good outcome”. He declares the blessedness of those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are meek, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted. These proclamations upend societal expectations, for they exalt those who are typically disregarded or even those who endure suffering and sacrifice.
In a culture that often equates happiness with wealth, power, and comfort, the Beatitudes offer a different perspective. Jesus reveals that true blessedness is not found in external achievements or material abundance but rather in one's spiritual disposition and relationship with God. This profound truth unveils a path to lasting joy and fulfillment that transcends the fleeting pleasures of this world.
The Beatitudes teach us that embracing our own limitations, vulnerability, and dependence on God is the source of true blessing. Being poor in spirit means recognizing our spiritual poverty and acknowledging our need for God's mercy and grace. It is in this humility that we find a deeper connection with God, who in turn pours out His blessings upon us.
The call to mourn might seem perplexing, as grief is typically seen as a source of pain and suffering. However, Jesus invites us to mourn not just for personal loss but also for the brokenness and suffering of others. By empathizing with the pain of the world, we are moved to compassion and action, becoming instruments of God's healing and restoration. Even those who persecute you are human. When they hurt you, it is a clear indicator that they themselves are hurt, and are most likely experiencing profound pain that they are not coping with. So forgive, and treat them with mercy.

The Beatitudes also challenge our natural inclination towards self-promotion and assertiveness. Jesus extols the virtue of meekness, which is often misunderstood as weakness. However, in meekness lies the key to authentic relationships and conflict resolution. By relinquishing control and being gentle in our interactions, we create space for love, understanding, and reconciliation to flourish. Meekness, can be better understood, with the analogy of a great swordsman. A great warrior for justice, will never raise his sword in a manner that is pre mature or unjust. A true warrior for justice and truth, knows exactly when to defend the truth, and also keep his sword sheathed, to allow room for interaction and understanding. This is most certainly not weakness.
Moreover, the Beatitudes emphasize the importance of purity of heart and a hunger for righteousness. These traits align our hearts with God's will, leading us to seek justice, kindness, and compassion. Nurture your purity of heart and you may even see God, before it is time… many have.

It may be the most perplexing but Jesus starts out strong with His Sermon on the mount saying, “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. This is not a reference to poverty in the worldly or financial sense. He is saying that the ones who are not self-reliant or even self confident, especially in a spiritual sense, already have a place in Heaven. This is to say, that those who acknowledge that they do not deserve a place in heaven, are already on their way to the kingdom. Those who admit that they are spiritually lacking in goodness, are at the same time admitting that they will never have true entitlement into Heaven by any acts of their own. This is the opposite of assuming one has earned citizenship by his own merit. This is a lot to unpack, and Jesus is most certainly not explaining the entire plan of salvation in this first line, which is why its important to continue reading the entire sermon and the Gospels, to hear his entire message. Jesus will be clear - and the New Testament supports and highlights - that no one comes to the Father except through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin.