Focusing the Gospel
Key words and phrases: theirs is the kingdom of heaven [2x], children of God, Rejoice and be glad
Connecting the Gospel …To the point: The promise of the Beatitudes is that certain ways of living (poor, meek, merciful, etc.) surely lead to inheriting a place in the heavenly kingdom. The challenge of the Beatitudes is to embrace these ways of living and thus make present in the here and now God’s reign. The “land” of inheritance is both heavenly and earthly, both future and now—always God’s gift to “God’s children now” (second reading) who are the blessed ones, the saints.
… to the First Reading: The rejoicing and gladness and great reward in heaven mentioned at the end of the Beatitudes is expressed most sublimely in heavenly worship where there is an unending chorus of blessing and giving glory to God.
… to experience: While the Beatitudes are a challenging blueprint for Christian living, they are not an impossible goal. We all know people who have fruitfully taken up the challenge of the Beatitudes and thus inspire us to saintly living.
