The Beatitudes

We all want to be happy. Being happy is doing what is right. It isn’t always easy to do the right thing. It takes courage and bravery.

What is the right thing to do? How do we know? We know because Jesus told us the right things to do. He told us how to have the greatest joy ever. He told us in the Beatitudes.

Beatitude is a big word that means “supreme happiness”. Jesus gave us eight Beatitudes. Follow these Beatitudes and you will be doing the right thing all the time and you will make Jesus very happy.

Positive Christianity involves more than obedience to laws. Those who follow Christ and live by his Spirit know that their salvation rests on struggle and pain. The Beatitudes are a summary of the difficulties to be overcome by faithful Christians and the rewards that will be theirs if they are loyal followers of Christ.

The Eight Beatitudes

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the reign of God is theirs.

2. Blessed are the sorrowing ; they shall be consoled.

3. Blessed are the lowly; they shall inherit the land.

4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill.

5. Blessed are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs.

6. Blessed are the single-hearted; they shall see God.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God.

8. Blessed are those persecuted for holiness’ sake; the rreign of God is theirs (Mt 5:3-10)

Here is a shorter version of the Beatitudes:

1. Happy are those who need God.

2. Happy are those with self-control.

3. Happy are those who are sorry for sin.

4. Happy are those who hunger and thirst for holiness.

5. Happy are the merciful.

6. Happy are those who love with all their heart.

7. Happy are the peacemakers.

8. Happy are those who suffer for doing what is right.