Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 5:1-12 is Jesus teaching his disciples The Beatitudes. I have read the Beatitudes many times and tonight I searched for some deeper personal meaning that I would like to share.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. – the poor are the lowly and the humble who place their complete dependence on God.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. – we know about mourning the loss of a loved one but what about the intense sorrow and mourning for our sins against God. His mercy will comfort us.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. – the gentle, the humble and the modest who are willing to accept all that the Lord permits to happen to us will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. – those who seek not worldly desires but seek to love the Lord and neighbor.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. – forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. The Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. – that we are holding on to no sins of the world, the flesh or the evils of Satan but are living a life of virtue for the glory of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – what brings peace in our lives is to follow the will of God which is to love him and neighbor.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. – when others want you to follow their worldly pursuits and we stay the course seeking God’s will.
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. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. – Jesus took the spitting, the beating, the profanity and every insult from those who hated him, because he loved us. If people hate us because we love the Lord, we can rejoice because we have a great reward coming!
Seeking To Reflect Jesus 
I love the beautitudes. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Lisa.
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Great insights, Mike. Like so many other things we hear often, it’s easy to just hear or read the Beatitudes without absorbing the deeper meanings as they relate to our own lives. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Thank you Gloria!
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The Beatitudes were always my very favorite part of Matthew’s Gospel. Thank you for the personal meaning, Michael. It makes them even more special that way.
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Thank you so much Lois!
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This is very well written. I’m encouraged by the way you explain this gospel. I’ve always loved the beatitudes but the way you explained it makes me love them even more. Keep up the good work.
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You are very kind! Thank you.
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