In Scripture, we find the Beatitudes, the signs of what it means to be a good human being, an ethical government, a moral country. The renewal of the United States depends, Jesus’ declaration of the Beatitudes implies, on us, on our own integration of these values in life—regardless of the system we see being bent out of shape or the toxic individualism that is poisoning it.

— Joan Chittister, National Catholic Reporter, September 9, 2021

I.The experience of writing about Howard Thurman over these last weeks has led me to consider more deeply what Joan Chittister says above about “what it means to be a good human being.” And thinking more deeply about being a good human being made me wonder what it might mean to be a good Christian human being. For Joan Chittister, being a “good human being” is really what it means to be a faithful and observant Christian human being.  Chittister reminds us that when we were baptized and confirmed, we accepted the calling to be faithful and observant Christians, which is precisely why her approach to the Beatitudes has struck me as so timely.

II. Most of us know of the “Sermon on the Mount” which is at the heart of Matthew’s Gospel, the first book of the New Testament. The Beatitudes form part of the “Sermon on the Mount” the first and longest of the five discourses in Matthew’s story of Jesus’ life and work. The most prominent parts of the “Sermon on the Mount” (5:1 – 7:29) are the ones with which we are all familiar in some way: the Beatitudes and The Lord’s Prayer. Important here is that the “Sermon on the Mount” is Jesus’ first public declaration of what is required for living a Christian life.  Also significant is that Jesus intended the nine Beatitudes, especially, to be both a primer and a summary of the entry requirements for the kingdom. (cf. Matthew 5)

III. Back to Howard Thurman for a moment. For me, Thurman is a vital modern model for living the Beatitudes. As I commented on September 24, Thurman was “true to standing with Jesus.” Thurman, like Jesus, was true to his calling to be a teacher and preacher of the Beatitudes.  As we begin an exploration of the Beatitudes it is important that, if we seek to live as Christians and morally responsible human beings, we “stand with Jesus”—Jesus as God and man—and that we see him as the God-Man who is perhaps our most important teacher and preacher. 

IV. In his book on the Beatitudes, George Hunsinger identifies what I believe is the very heart of the Beatitudes: “Jesus is the secret center of the Beatitudes as a whole and, therefore, of each one in particular. He is finally their real subject matter, and in them he points to his own person. It is he who embodies each personal attribute, he who is truly the blessing, and he who is always the promise. The Beatitudes are thus best understood as the self-interpretation of Jesus” (The Beatitudes, Paulist Press, 2015, pp. xix-xx).

V. Today’s reflection is meant to be an introduction to a series of pieces on the Beatitudes I will offer over the next few weeks as preparation for the Season of Advent and the new church year. In the meantime, to refresh our memories, here are all nine Beatitudes. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (from NRSV).

VI. The eminent Scripture scholar, Raymond E. Brown, has called the “Sermon on the Mount” “a harmonious masterpiece of ethical and religious teaching and Matthew’s greatest composition.” (Introduction to the New Testament, p. 178). Between now and next time (October 22), please look at Matthew 5:1 –7:29 (the entire “Sermon on the Mount”) and give some thought to what it might mean to “become a good human being” according to the Beatitudes.

 —Father Peter