Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Friday, February 01, 2008

The Beatitudes

I know that I've said such and such Gospel is my favorite before. If you've been here before you probably know that I have "issues" with favorites. I have many.

But, honestly, this Sunday's Gospel is my favorite. Doug has specific instructions for this Gospel to be read at my funeral, under penalty of haunting (just kidding). I think it is because of this Gospel that Matthew is my favorite Gospel writer.

I think this Gospel summarizes our lives as Christian soldiers. I hope that when I leave this world and enter the Kingdom of Heaven, I will have been each "blessed." Because I want all of the blessings. I want to be comforted; I want to inherit the land -- the Kingdom of Heaven; I want to be satisfied and be shown mercy; I want to see God and be called His child; I want to be with Him, for all eternity.

If we have done our work on this earth, we will all be blessed. For more information on each one, go here.

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.”
Matthew 5: 1-12

"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." This one is my favorite. As a Christian soldier, I must rejoice in my persecution in the name of the Lord Jesus, for my reward will come in heaven. And what a sweet reward it will be.


If you have time, leave me a comment and tell me your favorite. I'd love to hear it.

.

3 comments:

  1. You know, I'd never thought about which one was my favorite. The promises are all beautiful, (they are, after all, "beatitudes"), but were I to choose the one that spoke to my heart the most...

    ...it would be blessed are the peacemakers. Oh, to be an instrument of peace and not cause for offense.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My favorite would be,

    ..Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Barbara,
    Mine is:

    Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

    Since I have been a nurse for over 30 years I have found great consolation in this not only to share but with which to be uplifted!

    Indeed it is a challenge to pick only one!

    Glad to hear the boys are better!

    mary

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!