Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh… The message is somber and blunt, but we shall thank God all the same. How accurate is this warning? Let us begin by asking ourselves: “who keeps failing us?” Many would...
Once there was a very wealthy, self-important man who wanted his only son, a boy of nine, to realize just how fortunate he was, and how he should be grateful that he and his upper-class parents weren’t like everyone else. Instead of giving him this...
The answer to this question may seem obvious, but it isn’t. “Blessed” has a number of meanings, depending in part on its pronunciation. And this has led to confusion about what Jesus was really saying in the Beatitudes. When used as a form of the...
How are we to live out the daily message of the beatitudes? Can we be assured that, as salt of the earth, we will not lose our flavor? As opposed to merely an intellectual ascent, perhaps the beatitudes call us to step outside our proverbial comfort...
Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute and speak every evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets before you. (Mt 5: 11-12) As The New...
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:10) According to the International Bible Commentary: A Catholic Commentary for the 21st Century, pp. 1272: “Those who are...
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (Mt 5:9) The late Archbishop Oscar Romero once said: “Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of...
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Mt 5:8) According to The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (pp.640), “Pure in heart refers to ritual and moral impurity being cleansed (Ps 24:4; 51; Isa 1:10-20). In Matthew, purity of heart...
