What are the Beatitudes?

The Beatitudes are Jesus' opening proclamation in the Sermon on the Mount. They describe the character, hope, and promised happiness of those who belong to the kingdom of heaven.

What Jesus said. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus calls these people blessed:

1. The poor in spirit.
2. Those who mourn.
3. The meek.
4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
5. The merciful.
6. The clean of heart.
7. The peacemakers.
8. Those persecuted for righteousness.

He also blesses disciples who are insulted and persecuted because of Him (Mt 5:3-12). Luke records a related form with four blessings and four corresponding woes (Lk 6:20-26).

What "blessed" means. Biblical blessedness is deeper than a pleasant feeling or comfortable circumstances. It means receiving God's favor and possessing the hope of communion with Him. A grieving, persecuted, or materially poor person may still be blessed because God's kingdom belongs to those who trust Him. The Beatitudes reveal the goal of human life: the happiness God gives in His kingdom and, finally, in heaven (CCC 1716-1724).

What they ask of us. Poverty of spirit means humility and dependence on God. Mourning includes grief over sin and suffering. Meekness is strength governed by charity. Hungering for righteousness means earnestly desiring holiness and justice. Mercy forgives and serves. Purity of heart seeks God without divided loyalties. Peacemaking works for reconciliation grounded in truth. Enduring persecution means remaining faithful when discipleship becomes costly.

How they reveal Christ. Jesus lives every Beatitude perfectly. He is poor and humble, mourns human suffering, shows mercy, makes peace through His Cross, and accepts persecution for righteousness. The Beatitudes therefore portray both Christ Himself and the life He forms in His disciples. They stand at the heart of His preaching and summarize the path of Christian holiness (CCC 1717).

Choose one Beatitude to practice this week. Forgive someone, comfort a grieving person, make peace, give quietly to someone in need, or accept a small hardship without abandoning what is right.