THE BEATITUDES:

 

GREATEST HOMILY OF ALL TIME

 

Commonly referred in the Gospel according to St Matthew (5:3-12) as the "Sermon on the Mount," the Gospel according to St Luke (6:20-49) refers to it as the "Sermon on the Plain."

 

The Beatitudes (from the Latin word "beatitudo," meaning happiness) is the beginning portion of the Sermon on the Mount of the Gospel of Matthew. Some are also recorded in the Gospel of Luke. In the section, Jesus describes the qualities of the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Heaven and indicates how each is or will be blessed.

 

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WHAT ARE THE BEATITUDES?

 

Paragraph 1716 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, echoing the Gospel according to St Matthew (see under New American Bible references), shares that the Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham. The Beatitudes fulfill the promises by ordering them no longer merely to the possession of a territory, but to the Kingdom of Heaven:

 

(editor’s note: the Vatican website link provided above for paragraph 1716 does not reflect the 2011 revisions set forth in the New American Bible, which appear below)

 

1-Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

2-Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

3-Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

4-Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

5-Blessed are the merciful, for will be shown mercy.

6-Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

7-Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

8-Blessed are those 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. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

 

THE BEATITUDES PRESENT IN BOTH

 

MATTHEW AND LUKE

 

THE POOR

Matthew has 'poor in spirit.'

Luke has 'poor.'

Both texts say that the Kingdom is theirs.

 

MOURNERS/WEEPING

Matthew says the mourners will be comforted.

Luke says those who weep will laugh.

 

THE HUNGRY

Matthew has those who 'hunger and thirst for righteousness' will be blessed.

Luke has 'blessed are you who are now hungry.'

Both texts say they will be satisfied.

 

THOSE PERSECUTED FOR SEEKING RIGHTEOUSNESS

Matthew says that those persecuted, hated and insulted because of Jesus are blessed.

Luke says that those who are hated, excluded and insulted as followers of the Son of Man are blessed.

Both texts say they are to rejoice, for their 'reward will be great in Heaven.'

 

 

THE BEATITUDES PRESENT ONLY IN MATTHEW

 

THE MEEK

The text says that 'they will inherit the land.'

 

THE MERCIFUL

The text says that 'they will be shown mercy.'

 

THE CLEAN OF HEART

The text says that 'they will see God.'

 

THE PEACEMAKERS

The text says that 'they will be called children of God.'

 

 

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE REFERENCES

(Canonical Order)

 

Psalms 23:3-5, Isaiah 51:7-8, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 5:3-12, Matthew 13:1-23 (The Parable of the Sower), Luke 6:20-49, John 17:13, Romans 8:18, Hebrews 4:6-11, 2 Peter 1:4.

 

 

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

 

(CCC) REFERENCES

 

 

I. THE BEATITUDES (1716-1729)

 

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1716-1729

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church Index References

 

attaining divine beatitude through Baptism, 1257;

and the desire for happiness, 1718, 2548;

effects of, 1721;

free gift of God, 1720-22, 1727;

God as our, 257, 1731, 1855;

hope and eternal, 1818;

human person destined for eternal, 1700, 1703, 1711, 1769, 1818, 1934, 2548;

man's vocation to, 1700, 1934;

sin turns man away from God and from His, 1855, 1863, 1874, 1949.