Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, June 10, 2024

Gospel

Mt 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they 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.”

Reflection

This reminded me of where the beatitudes originated from. These lessons were taught by Jesus through what we call “The Sermon on the Mount” and were a way to expand from the Old Testament teachings like the 10 commandments.

I imagine the disciples and the gathered crowds listening to Jesus felt a mixture of excitement and confusion thinking… how could being meek, poor, and persecuted be blessings? I think actually this still confuses many today as well.

When I reflected more on these ideas I realized how each beatitude speaks to a different dimension of human suffering and a divine promise intertwined with it. While they may be hardships there are different aspects to view each one in with a positive outcome. With every bit of suffering there is a promise made after, that it is not in vain and there is a purpose. Instead of seeing these beatitudes as harrowing or daunting trials to face I now see them as hopeful and a beautiful promise made to those with faith.