Matthew 5: God’s Yardstick – The Law of Love – Part VI
Jesus The Word and Law
Sunday, January 22, 2023
We continue to see God’s yardstick in the New Testament, rising from the covenant in the Old Testament.
Often when a group begins a gathering in prayer and reads Christ’s Beatitudes, the leader will trail off after the “blessed” verses, omitting the last words Jesus gives un on persecution. This may be in error. By forgetting the final verses, we think only about the irony of verses 3 through 9 and that irony seldom fulfills or satisfies. The true paradox of Christ can only be seen when we include the final two verses that speak about the paradox of joy being gained through suffering. To recite the first seven blessings without the last two is to tell the Gospel story ending at the crucifixion and omitting the Resurrection, the road to Emmaus, the meal shared with the apostles along the bank of the sea, the return of Christ to the Upper Room, the Ascension, and finally the descent and in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing lasting if we neglect the last two verses. The prayer becomes hollow. And so we pray . . .
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Beatitude is blessing. Beatitude is happiness.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Beatitude is a gift freely given by God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you falsely on my account.
The desire for beatitude is written on each of our hearts by God.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Cosimo Roselli: Jesus Delivers the Eight Beatitudes
Beatitude is a promise that challenges us to make moral choices. It is a covenant that invites us to purify our hearts, to seek God, and to rest serenely in beatific joy with God . . . because God alone is enough.
Tomorrow, concluding our reflections on the Law of Love.
When we spend time with Matthew 5, we explore the idea that we are salt and light, and we give ourselves the opportunity to unfold Christ’s wondrous Law of Love.
Images from: https://marlinharris.wordpress.com/2013/07/10/the-beatitudes-the-conclusion-part-1-of-2/ and http://www.patrickcomerford.com/2011/01/matthew-5-1-12-eight-beatitudes.html
Adapted from a favorite written on January 5, 2007.
The Noontimes 
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