The beatitudes
MATTHEW 5:1-12a
WHEN Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
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.”
REFLECTIONS
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS. Jesus teaches the beatitudes to his disciples, as he sits down like a rabbi, near Lake Galilee. We give special attention to the seventh beatitude that is about being peacemakers. Blessed are the peacemakers, Jesus says, because they will be considered children of God.
It is not easy to be a peacemaker. It needs equilibrium, courage, and skill to listen and to gather the conflicting members of a family or a social group. The Gospel is not content with one peacemaker. There should be many peacemakers, just as we speak not of a child of God but of many children of God celebrating life. Enjoying smooth interpersonal relationships is a sign of living in the beatitudes. It is like heaven.
The beatitude lauds all God’s instruments that fix strained relationships. We cannot enjoy the blessing of God’s Kingdom if we are not in good terms and are at war with one another. Peacemakers help resolve conflicts.
Who are the peacemakers of our times? They can be trained negotiators involved in the peace process. They are coolheaded, dialogical, and respectful of all sides. Justice and respect for human rights cannot be missing in their agenda.