Blessed comes from the Greek word makarios which means:

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3 Beatitude comes from the Latin beatus meaning blessing, to make happy or the promise of true happiness Blessed comes from the Greek word makarios which means: To be fully satisfied The classical definition involved someone who experienced consummate bliss

4 Each beatitude has three elements. (1) Each sentence begins with the word blessed (makarioi). (2) There is a description of the person to whom this blessing applies. (3) The beatitude ends with the reason why the person is blessed. The reason or kind of blessing is not arbitrary but often corresponds to the character or state described (e.g.mourn/ comforted; hunger/filled; weep/ laugh; merciful/obtain mercy). There is clearly an element of surprise or shock in the beatitudes. The people listening must have been enthralled by the very opening sentence, for Jesus was telling them things which on the surface seem absurd. He was actually saying that not the rich, the well-fed, and un-oppressed were to be happy and welloff, but rather the poor, the mourners, the hungry and thirsty, and the persecuted ones. Obviously, these descriptions properly understood are concerned primarily with spiritual and not material conditions. However, the fact remains that Christ was proclaiming the exact opposite of what most people would expect to hear. Those who follow the Redeemer must be willing to have their worldview, priorities and even life be completely turned upside down.

5 All the Beatitudes had an eschatological meaning promising us salvation not in this world, but the next Eschatological pertaining to the end of time or fullness of time

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7 Found in the Book of Exodus The 10 Commandments were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai Contained many Thou shall nots evils we should avoid

8 Found in the Gospel of Matthew The Beatitudes were given by Jesus to the people during the sermon on the mount Jesus gives us the beatitudes in the positive - they represent virtues that lead to the ultimate reward

9 The Beatitudes are characteristics of the citizens of the Kingdom of heaven and there is a promise of life in God s kingdom for those who choose to live this way

10 The Sermon on the Mount has been called the Constitution of Christianity It is followed by miracles in the following chapters to show that the Kingdom is wonderful works, not just precious words

11 BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

12 POOR IN SPIRIT MEANS: Total Dependence on God (putting complete trust and confidence in God) Seeing the hand of God in life Conscious of my need for God Self-Abasement (Opposite of Self- Exaltation)

13 POOR IN SPIRIT MEANS: Finding Strength in God Being Grateful for blessing received Humble Reliance on the Word of God in their life

14 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED

15 THOSE WHO MOURN: Have a sensitivity to personal weakness Accept the realities of God s providence Are contrite and turn to God for mercy and consolation Are not those who complain and are bitter Are those who see potential for good

16 THOSE WHO MOURN: Are those whose suffering open their hearts to God Have a desire to forgive and be forgiven Have a concern for others Know God is present in the face of suffering in the world

17 BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH

18 THE MEEK ARE: Those that show humility and gentleness Those who recognize a power above themselves Those obedient to God Those with a willingness to serve God

19 THE MEEK ARE: Those who respond with understanding, patience, compassion and courtesy in all situations Those that respect and value all life They recognize their `littleness without pride

20 BLESSED ARE THE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY WILL BE FILLED

21 TO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS: To work for justice To see the dignity of every person To have a desire to do God s will To have a desire to grow spiritually BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI

22 TO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS: To exhibit moral purity acting with right intentions To strive for wholeness, despite occasional failures To exhibit self-control

23 BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY WILL RECEIVE MERCY

24 THE MERCIFUL ARE THOSE WHO SHOW: Kindness and Compassion Empathy and Understanding Capability of Sacrifice Exhibit the 7 Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy BLESSED TERESA OF CALCUTTA

25 BEING MERCIFUL IS ALSO: Called to forgiveness, rather than revenge Recognizing your own sinfulness, allowing you to become more willing to forgive others Called to heal wounds and soothe pain

26 BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD

27 TO PURE OF HEART ARE THOSE WHO: Who act out of a genuine love for others Who want to love and serve more than be loved and served Are sincere and selfless Exhibit moral sensitivity SAINT DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI

28 TO PURE OF HEART ARE THOSE WHO: Are separated from worldliness and secularization Show integrity in their words, judgements and actions.

29 BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD

30 PEACEMAKERS: Do not just love the idea of world peace Work for the eradication of conflict and implementation of peace and harmony Promote the conditions for peace Promote the idea of love your enemies VENERABLE POPE JOHN PAUL II

31 PEACEMAKERS: They develop relationships in order to promote justice They make tough and risk popularity to do what is right They recognize every human person as a child of God They act in reconciliation They show and act in social concern and social justice

32 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

33 THESE PERSECUTED: Stand up for Jesus Stand up against un- Christian values Are loyal to their word and the words of the Gospel Are willing to lose or give up their life for the message of the Gospel ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE

34 THESE PERSECUTED: Are simply involved in promoting the common good and doing it Have endurance in their undertakings Have the courage to do what is right at all times (but are not perfect) Are given the gifts of hope and strength as they endure suffering for the sake of love and justice

35 BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN PEOPLE REVILE YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU AND UTTER ALL EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY ON MY ACCOUNT, REJOICE AND BE GLAD, FOR YOUR REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN.

36 So many before us and among us have suffered greatly for Jesus and his message of the Gospel The saints are great examples Jesus says that these people will have a great reward We must stand up for what is right!

37 You don t have to study etymology or the origin of words to find their meaning To me, a beatitude is something beautiful A beautiful attitude A beautiful disposition on life Stances we ought to have in life They are attitudes we should strive to have and good things we should strive to be They are BE-ATTITUDES