SCRIPTURE:
Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill. Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs. Blest are the single-hearted for they shall see God. - Matthew 5: 6-8
THE HEART OF THE BEATITUDES:
The beatitudes sum up all of Jesus’ teachings. They are a wonderful synopsis to give to anyone not familiar with Jesus’ teachings but who would like to have them in a nutshell. They are stark in their simplicity and rich in their meaning. They are paradigmatic statements, reaching into the depths of our soul and challenging every settled assumption we hold. Throughout the beatitudes, Jesus extols the disciple who has come to a willingness to go to any lengths to seek and receive union with God.
To understand these beatitudes we can use the image of the Anawim. They were people whose backs were bent double by the unjust burdens they were forced to carry in life. They were in turn rebuffed whenever they sought redress from courts of law because the legal establishment was hand in glove with the landed gentry. Essentially they symbolized the downtrodden and savaged people of the world! In the spiritual life, this image of the Anawim would translate as the tension the disciple invariably experiences between desiring to follow Jesus and being burdened with a tendency to thwart such a yearning, the freedom that can only come from following Jesus versus the slavery that follows from following every selfish whim and fancy. This tension is resolved through prayer. As we come before God with the realization that we are unable on our own to do what Jesus asks, our will and our nature are transformed as the power and love of Jesus lifts us (see Jas 4: 8-10).
These beatitudes are a promise to some disciples and a reality in the life of others. They are a promise on the disciple’s horizon as he or she journeys into the heart of God, knowing that change will happen, but not yet able to predict the contours of the process. To other disciples these beatitudes are recognized as a reality in the witness of holy men and women, predecessors and contemporaries, who have demonstrated the power and grace of these beatitudes. In all likelihood, there are signs already visible in each disciple’s life that these beatitudes contain a revolution of spirit.
Let us look at these three beatitudes:
BLEST ARE THEY WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR HOLINESS;THEY SHALL HAVE THEIR FILL:
Paul is a good example of a disciple who experienced the power and depth of this beatitude. He would be a good instructor about hunger and thirst for holiness. If you engaged in conversation with him, he would tell you of his zeal and enthusiasm for the Law. In his zeal he developed an enormous cruelty and pride, leading him to persecute and murder Christians. On one of his murderous forays, this religious fanatic experienced Jesus and became a passionate Christian. On at least three occasions in his letters he makes reference to his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Clearly his encounter with Jesus was the rallying point and foundation of his hunger and thirst for holiness. As you read his letters, you get the distinct impression that he is teaching and instructing his Christian communities through his own transforming union with Jesus. You can spend time in reflection and prayer with Paul to find out how his compass was set right in his hunger and thirst for holiness and how he had his fill.
Another example would be the widow whom Jesus watched as she gave alms in the temple. There are two accounts of the widow’s mite in Mark 12 and Luke 21. Here is what Luke 21: 1-4 says: “Jesus glanced up and saw the rich putting their offerings into the treasury, and also a poor widow putting in two copper coins. At that he said: “I assure you, this poor widow has put in more than all the rest. They make contributions out of their surplus, but she from her want has given what she could not afford – every penny she had to live on.” It is hard to fathom how a widow, burdened by poverty and insecurity could have such freedom from fear and worry and trust completely in God’s loving Providence. Her trust went so far that in the words of Jesus, “from her want (she) has given what she could not afford – every penny she had to live on.” Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 13 is very apropos of this poor widow: “The reign of God is like a buried treasure which a man found in a field. He hid it again, and rejoicing at his find went and sold all he had and bought that field. Or again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant’s search for fine pearls. When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13: 44-46)”
BLEST ARE THEY WHO SHOW MERCY; MERCY SHALL BE THEIRS:
The crucified Jesus brings this beatitude to life in a wonderful way. While he was still suffering on the cross, he asked his Father to forgive his persecutors because they were ignorant of the true nature of their actions. Jesus refused to see his persecutors as enemies. They would always be his friends. He was dying for them freely and out of love.
Jesus showed mercy as well to the repentant criminal. One of the criminals blasphemed Jesus. The other one rebuked him: “Have you no fear of God, seeing you are under the same sentence? We deserve it, after all. We are only paying the price for what we’ve done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” He then said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter upon your reign.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, this day you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:40-43)” In those last moments of his earthly life, the criminal came to a sincere repentance. He acknowledged his misdeeds and accepted the punishment he was receiving. More importantly he came to believe in Jesus. As a result a beautiful prayer emerged from his repentant heart: “Jesus, remember me when you enter upon your reign.” And Jesus’ response was in keeping with his compassionate and merciful heart: “I assure you, this day you will be with me in paradise.”
In Acts, Chapter 7, we read of the example set by Stephen, the deacon. As he was being stoned, “he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’ (7:60).” How was Stephen able to have such a docile and compassionate heart toward his persecutors while he was being stoned to death? You can dialogue with Jesus and Stephen about their spontaneous desire to forgive their enemies and ask them for help in understanding the sincerity of their plea.
BLEST ARE THE SINGLE-HEARTED FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD:
There is no better example for this beatitude than Mary, Mother of Jesus. She was consistently single-hearted, even in enormously difficult situations. She might have been singled out by God to be the mother of Jesus. However, there were no privileges attached to her mission in life. Rather, she was put through the wringer. Beginning with the Annunciation, she had to deal with the odd and very risky situation of being pregnant out of wedlock. And because she was betrothed to Joseph, her status was that of a married person and Joseph could have subjected her to death by stoning. This parade of suffering and impending doom continues throughout her life and is climaxed in the horrendous crucifixion and death of her beloved Son, Jesus. In every circumstance she remained true to her words, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say” (Luke 1:38). Mary is our disciple par excellence. No one captured the spirit and life of Jesus better than she did.
HELPFUL ATTITUDES FOR PRAYER:
· The beatitudes are an impossible task. They can easily be counted among those things that are impossible for humans to accomplish. However, with God all things are possible. Our task is to implore our Lord, humbly and persistently for the spirit of the beatitudes.
· When the beatitudes have become reality in one’s life they make a disciple counter-cultural and intensely appealing at the same time, because the disciple has a treasure we all seek and do not have. Such a treasure can only be found if one is willing to go to any lengths to seek and find this pearl of great price. Prayer that is magnanimous and generous will bring forth such a fruit in one’s life.
- Paul is a good example of a disciple who experienced the power and depth of this beatitude about hunger and thirst for holiness. His encounter with Jesus was the rallying point and foundation of his hunger and thirst for holiness. As you read his letters, you get the distinct impression that he is teaching and instructing his Christian communities through his own transforming union with Jesus. Paul to find out how his compass was set right in his hunger and thirst for holiness and how he had his fill.
· At that Jesus said: “I assure you, this poor widow has put in more than all the rest. They make contributions out of their surplus, but she from her want has given what she could not afford – every penny she had to live on.” Would that Jesus would make the same statement about our discipleship!
- In every circumstance Mary remained true to her words, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say” (Luke 1:38). Mary is our disciple par excellence. No one captured the spirit and life of Jesus better than she did.
GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER:
- Be faithful to your time of prayer, and make it between 20 and 30 minutes daily.
- Begin every prayer session with an earnest prayer to the Holy Spirit like the one I have composed for you: Come, Holy Spirit, and overshadow me with your gentle wisdom and power as I endeavor to sit at the feet of Jesus during this period of prayer. Purify my mind and heart as I seek to make the teachings of Jesus my priority in life, thinking, speaking and doing as He desires. You are the keeper of my soul, leading me into God’s heart. May I be docile and submissive to your wisdom and guidance. And may my life be a pleasing offering in your sight. Amen.
- Take one of the passages suggested for the week for your prayer. During the week you might want to ponder the question, “When I ask God for forgiveness either in personal prayer or in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, do I believe I am forgiven by God?”
- Lastly, during your prayer make sure that along with reflection you also address God directly and listen for answers that you need.
- You can end your prayer with the following: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I thank you for your gracious companionship. I praise you for being my Creator, Savior and Lord. May I take your blessings to my day, and may your presence envelop and permeate all my thoughts and actions. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PASSAGES FOR PRAYER:
Matthew 5-7: Sermon on the Mount (several days)
Luke 8: 4-18: The Parables of the Sower and the Lamp
Luke 9: 23-27: Conditions of Discipleship
2 Corinthians 11: 16-33: Paul’s Sufferings as an Apostle
SPIRITUAL READING:
The Imitation of Christ:
Book 3: Chapter 16: That we are to Seek True Comfort in God Alone
Book 3: Chapter 27: That Self-Love Blocks Us from Attaining the Highest Good
Old Testament:
The Book of Hosea
New Testament:
The Gospel of Matthew: Chapters 5 through 16
Living in God’s Embrace: Chapter 5: In the Master’s Footsteps
Loving in the Master’s Footsteps: Chapter 4: God’s Dream – Standing by Jesus’ Side
JOURNALING:
- Journal for a few minutes daily about your experience with God in prayer and during the day.
- Your journal will help you with your sharing in spiritual direction
- Gradually patterns of insights, themes, consolations, and resistance to God’s promptings will emerge.
- Your journal will help you appreciate the Holy Spirit’s action in your being.
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