Tag Archives: Beatitudes
Living Peacefully on Earth
The Natural World: Week 1 Living Peacefully on Earth Friday, March 9, 2018 To live nonviolently—both toward humans and nature—requires that we recognize God’s image in each living thing. We cannot be violent toward someone or something when we see the divine in them. My friend and nonviolent activist John Dear recently published a new… Continue Reading Living Peacefully on Earth
Blessed Are the Persecuted
Sermon on the Mount: Week 2 Blessed Are the Persecuted Thursday, February 8, 2018 Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of justice: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs. —Matthew 5:10 I guess we should not be surprised that this Beatitude follows the previous ones. The first and last Beatitudes are present tense:… Continue Reading Blessed Are the Persecuted
Children of God
Sermon on the Mount: Week 2 Children of God Wednesday, February 7, 2018 We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. . . . Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than… Continue Reading Children of God
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Sermon on the Mount: Week 2 Blessed Are the Peacemakers Tuesday, February 6, 2018 Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God. —Matthew 5:9 In Jesus’ teaching and in his life, we see modeled nonviolent, peaceful action. He encourages us to likewise “turn the other cheek” and not return vengeance with… Continue Reading Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
Sermon on the Mount: Week 2 Blessed Are the Pure in Heart Monday, February 5, 2018 Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God. —Matthew 5:8 When the heart is right, Jesus says, seeing will be right. He ties together heart and sight. Consider the saying, “Beauty is in the eyes of the… Continue Reading Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
Blessed Are the Merciful
Sermon on the Mount: Week 2 Blessed Are the Merciful Sunday, February 4, 2018 Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them. —Matthew 5:7 I believe with all my heart that mercy and forgiveness are the whole Gospel. The Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79) says we’ll have knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sin… Continue Reading Blessed Are the Merciful
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger for Justice
Sermon on the Mount: Week 1 Blessed Are Those Who Hunger for Justice Friday, February 2, 2018 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice: they shall have their fill. —Matthew 5:6 This Beatitude is surely both spiritual and social. Most Bibles to this day soften this Beatitude: “hunger and thirst for what is… Continue Reading Blessed Are Those Who Hunger for Justice
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Sermon on the Mount: Week 1 Blessed Are Those Who Mourn Thursday, February 1, 2018 Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted. —Matthew 5:4 Tears are therapeutic and healing, both emotionally and physically. Crying helps the body shed stress hormones and stimulates endorphins. Weeping is a natural and essential part of being human.… Continue Reading Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Blessed Are the Gentle
Sermon on the Mount: Week 1 Blessed Are the Gentle Wednesday, January 31, 2018 Blessed are the gentle [or the meek, humble, non-violent, unassuming]: they shall have the earth as inheritance. —Matthew 5:5 This Beatitude is a quote from Psalm 37:11: “the humble shall have the land for their own.” Some translate it “the nonviolent.”… Continue Reading Blessed Are the Gentle
