8  BEATITUDES

 

The title of my homily is, “8 Beatitudes”.

 

In today’s gospel from Matthew we have the 8 Beatitudes of Jesus.

 

Beatitudes – ways to be happy.

 

In some Catholic grammar schools – way back – we had to memorize them.

 

Some say there are 9 beatitudes here in Mathew’s gospel that we just heard.  Some say there are 8.  The last one is a bit longer – so it can be listed as 1 or 2.

 

I get  the meaning or the gist of 6 of them.  2 of them don’t have that big a grab for me – but they all have a good message.

 

The Gospel of Matthew begins with the Infancy Narratives – Christmas stuff -  2 chapters – a bit different from the Infancy Narratives and stories in Luke.  In Matthew next come 2 chapters – some stuff on John the Baptist – then the temptations of Jesus in the desert and then the  calling of the different disciples by name.

 

Then in Chapter 5 of Matthew we have the Sermon on the Mount.  It’s 3 chapters of sayings.  This is the Year of the Gospel of Matthew. So if you want to get and to know Matthew get to know the Sermon on the Mount for starters.

Some think the Sermon on the Mount – these 3 chapters – 5, 6, and 7,  were an early short Christian document – called Matthew Q – now lost – but used by Matthew as an early part of his gospel – which became 28 chapters – almost as long as the gospel of Luke.  

 

The Sermon on the Mount has Jesus gathering folks – sitting down – and then giving them quick brief teachings – darts of thought. Starting with the beatitudes, then messages  like:

You are the salt of the earth or you are the light of the world….

Keep the Law and the Prophets ….

Don’t kill, don’t be angry, don’t be cursing each other ….

When you come to the altar – first go to your brother or sister and forgive and be forgiven – whatever needs to be forgiven ….

No adultery – even adultery in your eye – and in the mind only ….

And on and on and on …. Including stuff on prayer – no showing off – stop judging – go the extra mile - keep the golden rule – be a good tree – producing good fruit in your life.

 

That’s some stuff on the Beatitudes and the Sermon the Mount.

 

We have them now in the early part of the Christian year – then comes Lent and Easter – then we jump back to Matthew – till the end of the church year.

 

A SUGGESTION

 

For this year pick one of the 8 Beatitudes and make it your own.

With your rosary say that beatitude  59 times on the 59 beads. Try them all till one becomes your favorite.

For example: “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”

 

Or, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

 

Or pick out one of Jesus’ messages from the sermon on the mount.

 

For example, “Go the extra mile.”

 

Or this one, “When you pray, go into your secret inner room, shut the door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.”

 

Rosary beads are great for these one liners.

 

Or make up your own personal beatitudes, secrets of happiness you have come up with, and try them out on your rosary.  59 of them  or just 10 of them. Take a few minutes saying or praying to thinking of one of them while driving  - or just sitting alone in a Lazy Boy Chair.

 

For personal beatitudes I like these two I came up with – probably stolen from someone: “Be who you is, because if you be who you ain’t, then you ain’t who you is.” Or, “Learn to listen – especially by asking further questions – to  the person you’re listening to.” Base the question on what they said. It’s a great way of telling the other person you’re listening to them.

 

Enough already……