Blessed are you ….

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for because their whole trust is in God, the kingdom of heaven shall be theirs.

Blessed are those who mourn. They will be comforted because their hope is in God.

Blessed are the meek because their meekness originates in God. They will inherit the land which the proud think belongs to them.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Though they are frustrated in their struggle, they will be satisfied because they trust that God renews all things in his own time.

Blessed are the merciful. They will be shown mercy because they channel God’s mercy to God’s children.

Blessed are the clean of heart. They will certainly see God because nothing takes their hearts away from God. They have an undivided heart toward God.

Blessed are the peacemakers. They will be called children of God for through them and in them,

Our Lord continues his ministry of healing the hate and divisions that tear apart God’s children.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. The kingdom of heaven shall be theirs because they do not surrender to despair or discouragement.

Blessed are those who are insulted, persecuted, or accused falsely because of their faith in God. Heaven belongs to them because they did not waver in their faith, the persevered to the end without bitterness or thirst for revenge. They rejoice in their persecution because their relationship with God is more important to them than anything in this world.

Notice that each of the beatitudes invites us to have absolute faith in God. On no other foundation should we lay our life than in God, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Only on that foundation does our life, yesterday, today and tomorrow; in life and death, feels truly secured. On what foundation is your life built?

 

~Fr Cornelius Okeke