The Beatitudes,
A code for upside down spiritual living.
The Beatitudes,
Recorded in chapter 5 of Matthew's Gospel,
Form part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount,
A series of foundational spiritual teachings which sum up Jesus' message during his earthly ministry.
They form a blueprint for his upside down kingdom living formula,
Where the first come last and the last come first.
Be blessed as you receive these reflections on the text and let them penetrate deep into your heart.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who live with a beginner's mind,
Wise enough to know that they know nothing,
And open enough to learn from every living being.
Blessed are those who recognize their equality with every created thing,
And choose to live in simplicity and harmony with the earth.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they will be comforted.
Blessed are those whose wounds enable them to walk alongside other beings,
Sharing their stories and their pain,
And in the pain,
Finding healing.
Blessed are the meek,
For they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who have passed through the blindness of small self and ego,
Those who live a truly enlightened life,
One with the divine,
At home in their true eternal selves.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they will be filled.
Blessed are those whose hearts seek the divine in everything,
Whose heart's desire is to know divine love,
To live in love and be found in it.
They who seek shall find.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are those who reserve judgment and choose to believe the best,
Because there but for the grace of God go I.
Blessed are those who live free from the judgment of others,
Because they refuse to pass judgment on those in whose shoes they have not walked.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they will see God.
Blessed are the authentic ones,
Who unashamedly speak from the innocence of their hearts,
Without filtering what they say through their own prejudices or fears of other people's opinions.
In their loving and honest communication,
They will see and know the divine.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who understand that peace is something we can make.
It is not something we seek out or strive for.
Blessed are those who choose peace in every conversation,
Every encounter,
Intuitively recognizing the difference between being a peacemaker and keeping the peace for fear of conflict.
Blessed are those who value true peace over a quiet life,
Which never rocks the boat.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who choose to be so sold out to their divine purpose that they are uninterested in the adverse judgments and accusations of others.
Blessed are those who sacrifice every lesser desire to the greater goal of knowing and living in divine love.
They know where their treasure lies.
6
