A Closer look at the Beatutides

Last Sunday at Mass we were singing “Blest Are They,” by David Haas, a Beatitude song. I saw the lyrics coming up “Blest are they the pure of heart for they shall see their God.” I barely started to sing these words when I became so emotional that I started to cry. This happens often during Mass. Holy Mass is heavily heavenly emotional for me. I cry during every Mass I attend. Sometimes a little. Sometimes more. Once in a while I cry I lot. At times I cry during the Consecration or when I’m actually receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus. Sometimes I get teary eyed and cry a little during the readings. Other times I cry during the homily. But this morning I cried as we were singing the offertory song “Blest Are They!” I was so overcome with emotion that I couldn’t sing the words I love so dearly, “Blest are they the pure of heart for they shall see their God.” My throat choke up as I cried.

Every time we hear the promises Jesus gave us in the gospel of the Sermon on the Mount or in song about the Beatitudes sung at Mass our hearts should be moved. When Jesus preached the Beatitudes he meant for hearts to be moved. Moved by the desire to do what Jesus asks of us in the words of the beautiful Beatitudes, to live good and holy lives. “Yours is the Kingdom of God!”

Pope Francis shares in his talk on the Beatitudes, 2014 World Youth Day, a recurring theme on the Kingdom of God. “Jesus is the kingdom of God in person; he is Immanuel, God-with-us. And it is in the human heart that the kingdom, God’s sovereignty, takes root and grows. The kingdom is at once both gift and promise. It has already been given to us in Jesus, but it has yet to be realized in its fullness. That is why we pray to the Father each day: “Thy kingdom come”.

I love the Beatitudes but for several years now, I have identified with the Beatitude, “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” My life goal is to become pure of heart. I remember a priest once telling the congregation that the eighth Beatitude is the queen of all the Beatitudes. I can’t say I don’t agree with him. Yet I believe that if I can reach the goal of my favorite Beatitude and become pure of heart as Jesus asks of me then all the other Beatitudes will fall into place.

My thoughts and prayers on the Beatitudes:

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

MY LORD, MY GOD what a wonderful attribute to be poor in spirit, to trust and depend on Divine Providence in all things.

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

DEAR LORD, if you would have designs to comfort me in my sorrow, I will accept comfort, save comfort from my anguish over your Passion and Death on the Cross. You have already comforted mankind by rising from the cold dark tomb. Jesus, my Lord, by your Resurrection you have given us the promise of everlasting life that we also may rise from the dead. What more comfort do we need?

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

MY JESUS, am I meek? I don’t know. Sometimes I’m loud and outspoken but I become meek before you. Before you, Most Blessed Holy One in the tabernacle, I prostrate myself. If it pleases God, I shall inherit my promised homeland, my heavenly home.

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

I ask MY LORD, “What is righteousness?” My Lord directs me to my religious studies. Righteousness means conduct in conformity with God’s will (USCCB). Yes Lord this is what I desire.

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

LAMB OF GOD, I want to be washed in your mercy. Help me give love and mercy to others.

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

LORD you search my heart. You know my greatest desire is to be pure of heart. Only by your sanctifying grace can all impurities be erased from my heart. Only then will I see you my King of Heaven and Earth in all your glory. My Beloved, here’s a confidence I have stored in my soul. I trust that I will see you face to face when my earthly life is over.

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

PRECIOUS JESUS, as a child I was more of a peacemaker than I am now. Please turn me around that I may become innocent in your eyes. I wish to present myself a calmer more peaceful person contagious to those around me. May my heart be as pure as a child’s, as pure as a child of God ought to be.

8. 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 because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS, help me to accept persecution for the sake of righteousness.
I will suffer insults for you. My God, you know I would die for love of you. My Lord, I could not do these things if you had not impassioned me to become pure of heart.