In today’s Gospel, four beatitudes are mentioned. A Beatitude can be understood as a foundation for authentic Christian discipleship and the state of ultimate happiness which comes when we are totally immersed in the love of God. We know the reality of life as a Christian. It does not mean that we are immune to the ups and downs of life. What it does mean is that in the midst of persecution, poverty, deep sorrow and doubt, there is always hope.  ‘We put our hope in the Lord, he is our protector and our help.’ (Psalm 33:20-22)

In my mind I always link the Beatitudes to the Peace Prayer of St Francis where we pray that with God’s grace we can be instruments of love, pardon, faith, hope, light and joy – overcoming the oppressive nature of hatred, sorrow and repression so evident in our world today.

The Beatitudes and St Francis’ prayer speak to us, across the centuries, and invite us to be people of hope: so that in all situations we hold on to hope and the invitation to dwell, every day, in the love of God, despite what is happening around us. Do we dare to believe in the truth and power of Jesus’ words that the poor, the hungry, those weeping and those hated, excluded, reviled and defamed will rejoice and leap for joy?

by Michael Bruynesteyn