The First Beatitude

The beatitudes found in Matthew’s Gospel (Mt. 5:3-12) are meant not just for the chosen few, but for everyone.  The passage begins with the words, “when he saw the crowds…”  Maybe we would say today that it was a message for the masses.

How many of us can remember how many beatitudes there are, and how many have forgotten their meaning?  Take some time in the next few days and pray over this passage.  What is God saying to us through these words meant not just for ancient times, but also for today?

Here’s a little reflection by Catherine Doherty, found in the book, Grace in Every Season.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  To be poor in spirit does not mean to give up all things and embrace holy poverty with one swoop.  Nor is this meant for priests and religious only.  No.  It is a beatitude for all of us, for it detaches our hearts from earthly possessions and places them into Christ’s Sacred Heart.

To be poor in spirit simply means that we understand well that we are but stewards of our earthly goods, and the Lord is the owner of them.  It means that all the goods that are over and above our necessities (food, clothing, shelter, education provisions against sickness and old age) belong to our brothers and sisters in need- belong to them in justice, not in charity.

Such worldly goods as we have help us to fulfill the obligations of our state in life, and should be enjoyed fully and used for the glory of God.  But should he take these things away, we will neither miss them, nor pine for them, for our lives are rooted in the most holy will of God, and it alone.  Joyously we fulfill it, with a free and detached heart.

To be poor in spirit, to be detached, to live according to God’s will, means simply to be happy, at peace, and full of love and hope.