Blessed Are You Who Are...

Beads of Joy 02-14-10

Blessed Are You Who Are..
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

Our heart should be flowing with so much love and joy in today's reading. Our Lord begins sharing with us such words of wisdom and love. Today we read Luke 6:17,20-26 (Sermon on The Mount Begins) What joy, what excitement, what wisdom is flowing out of these words; this teaching is known as one of the most powerful, most dynamic teaching of all times. The blessings and woes in this teaching address' the real conditions of our humanity. The basic core and center nerve sensed throughout the Sermon on the Mount is about our love for our neighbor. This teaching is such an exciting motivation for us to hear, absorb and embrace in our lives. "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." Matthew 7:28-29

What is really one of the inner most desires of a person throughout their life, what do we thirst for? I liken our quench for Him like when Jesus spoke to the woman at the well. "Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14 This study and reflection reminds me also of another important book we should also have in our study library: The Catechism of the Catholic Church. In the pages of this book you will learn through biblical references how this entire book is derived from the Word of God. In the Prologue V.18 "This catechism is conceived as an organic presentation of the Catholic faith in its entirety." I referred to this book also to share with you some of the treasures of our Catholic faith within its pages. "Desire for true happiness frees man from his immoderate attachment to the goods of this world so that he can find his fulfillment in the vision and beatitude of God." CCC 2548

Are you beginning to sense the excitement and joy jammed packed into the Sermon on the Mount? Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, He is the Christ, the Savior. Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:17-18. "The Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity. They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his Passion and Resurrection; they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ's disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints." CCC 1717

Blessed are you, holy are you, rejoice and be glad... Ok, Ok, I'm starting to sing again, some of you know that song, LOL. I enjoy watching the version of the Beatitudes in the movie "King of Kings" I actually can say it with Jeffery Hunter in full, verbatim, to the movies version. That is why I always say I really like watching certain movies over and over. Your brain begins to really be part of what you repetitiously are seeing and hearing. Repetition is the mother of learning, skill, retention. But the question with the beatitudes is: How ever can we find any sort of happiness or joy in poverty, or hunger, mourning and persecutions? That is a tough question but here are some of my observations: First we must empty ourselves of all that would shut us out from God. Poverty of Spirit seeks out God alone. Hunger of Spirit seeks out nourishment for God's word. Combine just those two thoughts and your life will be changed.

Poor in spirit, means to be humble, humility is the realization of God's gifts for us.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO

Footnote: CCC (Catechism of The Catholic Church)