BEATITUDES IN OUR DAILY LIFE

Simple Acts of the Beatitudes

SERMON ON THE MOUNT Mat 5:3	Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.	“You’re blessed when you feel hopeless. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.	Someone prays every day, but always offers prays for others and not him or herself. A person gives up all of his or her free time in order to volunteer. A family works to ensure that God is part of their daily lives
Mat 5:4	Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.	“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.	The families and friends of the victims of 9-11 are in despair, but the Lord shall provide for them, whether now or in the future. A person loses a very close family member. God provides for that person by allowing them to reunite in the hereafter. A family is torn apart and a child vanishes. The parents never find the child in this life, but the family is reunited in the next world.
Mat 5:5	Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.	“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are–no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.	One individual feeds a homeless individual. Groups of people anonymously leave clothing for a clothes drive. A person humbles him or herself before God in prayer.
Mat 5:6	Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.	“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.	Volunteers peacefully march against an unjust law. A student stands up for an individual who is being bullied, teased, and thereby tormented
Mat 5:7	Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.	“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘carefull,’ you find yourselves cared for.	Anytime someone truly forgives another, mercy is shown. A life is spared at the last minute by a merciful leader. A child forgives someone who hurt him or her at school.
Mat 5:8	Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.	“You’re blessed when you get your inside world–your mind and heart–put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.	An individual reads the Bible, completely opening his or her heart to the message. Children play together at a park with no bias or prejudice of one another. A person completes a good act without expecting a reward in return.
Mat 5:9	Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.	“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.	Leaders of countries work towards and bring about peace. Two old friends decide to let go of a grudge. Family members who have not spoken in years reunite with each other.
Mat 5:10	Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.	“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.	Someone is mocked for standing up for an individual that others do not like. Christians continue to hold strong in their beliefs, even though they are persecuted. A person states that he or she is a Christian, even though the individual knows that there will be consequences.
Mat 5:11	Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for mysake.	Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too uncomfortable.
Mat 5:12	Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.	You can be glad when that happens–give a cheer, even!–for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.