How do the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) challenge conventional ideas of happiness and success, and what do they reveal about the values of the Kingdom of God?
Which one or more than one of the Beatitudes speaks most deeply to your life, and how has it/have they shaped your personal experiences, relationships, and sense of purpose? Share specific moments that have influenced who you are becoming.
In the times before Christ, the way of the world was one of transactionalism. The lives of ancient peoples were shaped by harsh legal precepts like Hammurabi’s Code and Draco’s Constitution. Tenets like “an eye for an eye” and capital punishment for the crime of petty theft, informed the actions and behaviors of those living under said rules. This was no different in ancient Levantine kingdoms and Roman vassal states, who were bound by a mix of The Roman Tables and The Law of Moses. By the time of Jesus, those living under the rule of Augustus Caesar and the High Priests of the Second Temple had woven tit-for-tat into every facet of their lives. The Sermon on The Mount and The Beatitudes therein, were therefore revolutionary to a people who had previously only been obligated to forgive their transgressors thrice.
In an instant, The Lord had turned the world on its head. Where previously might had made right, the meek would now inherit the earth. Where formerly the merciful would be cast aside as weak, their bravery would be rewarded with mercy. The widow left to mourn on her own would now be comforted. While these are ideas that modern christians can take for granted, in biblical times they did nothing less than shake the foundations of the earth. Sadly, however groundbreaking these precepts were, they never became widely implemented secular law. As such, societal definitions of prosperity are often at odds with The Beatitudes.
American society is no different in this regard, we are told to work on earth towards earthly rewards, rather than spiritual ones. We are taught that the meaning of life can be found in constant consumption, regardless of how damaging that is to others and our own soul. Therefore, we as Christians must recapture a revolutionary understanding of The Beatitudes and with it come to terms with the values of the Kingdom of Heaven that are antithetical to modern markers of success.
In my own life, the sixth and seventh beatitudes “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God” and “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God”, have weighed the heaviest on my soul. These two inform how I interact with each and every person I meet and work with. I have had the great fortune of being trusted with leadership positions multiple times throughout my high school and college careers. In each role, I found that trusting those around you and defusing conflict rather than giving in to cliques and factionalism leads to stable and well run organizations. This basic trust in fellow people, in turn, leads to one being able to maintain peaceable relationships with almost anyone.
By approaching every human interaction with an open heart and mind, and the general assumption of mutual trust and respect, we can draw ever closer to the perfect forms set forth in the Beatitudes. In this way, we may all carry forth the revolutionary commandments handed down to us from our lord Jesus, and with them alter, not only our own lives and habits, but slowly and surely, the nature of society as well.
