What’s Up With That?:
A Beatitude Attitude
By Angie Ledbetter
Three Questions to Ask Yourself:
1. What are the beatitudes and why should I care?
2. How can I put this roadmap for my journey toward heaven into
action?
3. What have I done lately to live the beatitude attitude?
Remember those beatitudes we learned in religion education? These are
eight reminders Christ gave to help us become better, more virtuous people.
It sounds complicated, but it’s really not. The beatitudes simply
map out for us just how we should behave, and also list the rewards associated
with each one.
Blessed Are ...
I have a sticky note on my computer that reminds me how I should act daily.
It’s a list of the beatitudes and reads like this:
"BLESSED ARE: the poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn, those
who seek justice, the merciful, the clean hearted, the peacemakers, those
persecuted for Christ. THEY SHALL: see heaven, possess the earth, be comforted,
be satisfied, obtain mercy, see God, be called God’s children, inherit
the kingdom of heaven."
All of these points are important and seem simple. But are they really,
if we take the time to examine each closely?
Righteous
Hunger
Exactly what does "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied" mean? God wants us to be upright people
who seek justice (equality and fairness for all) and be righteous (morally
upright and without sin).
We are asked to judge all people with fairness, to treat them as equals,
to be without fault in our treatment of others, and to seek to correct
unjust situations. This beatitude also includes acting and speaking without
prejudice and standing up for what’s right ... even when it’s
hard. In fact, to be just and righteous, most of the time we will be left
hanging out on a limb, as others will take the easy route and do what
is easiest and most satisfying to themselves.
Walking the Walk
We should always be aware that a kind word, a smile, or just being friendly
could change the course of another’s life. The only hard part of
doing that is going against the grain, but that’s what makes it so
important. We also never know who may be watching and be influenced by
our just actions and words.
The Eight Beatitudes show us how to walk the walk, instead of just talking
the talk. The path won’t be smooth and easy, but the destination
is beyond awesome -- it's heaven.
It’s also not easy to go against the flow, but Christ promises us
that the rewards are unlimited. In fact, he promises that we will be totally
satisfied! Imagine all of our wants, needs, and desires becoming fulfilled.
Who could want more than that?
Recap:
1. What are the beatitudes and why should I care?
2. How can I put this roadmap for my journey toward heaven into action?
3. What have I done lately to live the beatitude attitude?
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