‘REJOICE AND BE GLAD’
Today in Matthew’s Gospel we hear the Beatitudes. They are so well known to us. But have you thought how lyrical they are when read and that the sentiments are a beautiful reflection of what Jesus would like our lives to be.
The Beatitudes deal with the difficult parts of our life. When our lives are tough, when we lose the ones we love, when we are angry and hurt by injustice, when life is against us and others abuse us because of who we are or what we believe. In these moments Jesus promises us comfort, true happiness and the kingdom of heaven.
Yet these gifts come with an invitation to do our part. Being gentle with one another, to show mercy to others, to act with a pure heart and strive to be peace makers within our community.
What does the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ mean to us? Perhaps it is a heart that is truly at peace. In the commercial world we inhabit, we are constantly bombarded by calls to live a life focussed on ourselves. Acquiring goods, experiences and wealth for ourselves. Jesus tells us we will not have peace and cannot be happy living in this way. True fulfilment comes from following His teachings. The Beatitudes offer a beautiful view of what Jesus wants our life to be. A life where we do not rely solely on our own strength or skills, but one where we take Jesus into our lives and we make a difference in our community. A life where we make a difference in our community, helping those who do not have enough to live on, supporting the oppressed and working to spread peace within our community.
‘Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven’.
God Bless
Jane
