Monday, January 31, 2011

The Beatitudes - Saint Michael Parish - January 30th, 2010

   You might be wondering why I'm choosing to write about Saint Michael Parish again. The reason for doing is is the theme of universalism and inclusiveness that I experienced at Mass and though different, the language of the Mass complimented the practice of Beth Hatfiloh.

    First, what are the beatitudes? The beatitudes are Jesus describing how even those seen as cursed are blessed by God and that God will help them find what they were unable to receive in life. They're meant to bring humility for from humility comes love, most people who are described in the beatitudes people did not love:


Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses land
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted 
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after justice: for they have their fill
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God 
Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justices' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

     Each beatitude holds a lesson that calls upon our greater self and shows how God's kingdom belongs to these people. The self that in the Abrahamic Traditions that God can help you become, and in general a reminder for the things that our society is obsessed with, such as station, money, being right over being good, and other ills are all addressed in these beatitudes. They remind us of what we can achieve in living awareness of ourselves and others, by God's recognition of them. In the Mass attended I experienced that awareness again both in the sermon and prayer and afterwords in the Chapel.








1 comment:

  1. I definitely like how you describe the beatitudes as a "call." Considering the etymology of the Aramaic word for "blessed," the beatitudes are not suggestions. They are imperatives!

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