The Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1-16)

The Sermon on the Mount is the first of the five discourses narrated in the Gospel of Matthew, and it takes place at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth. A similar teaching is described in the Gospel of Luke, called the Sermon on the Plain. Jesus covers several topics, to guide us towards true joy, the joy of God. Each of these verses start with “Blessed are…”, and can help us on the path of holiness. 

Jesus Reveals the Beatitudes During the Sermon on the Mount

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 

2 and he began to teach them. He said:

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

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

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

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

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

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

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

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

You Are the Light of the World

Jesus tells a crowd of very diverse people how special they are, no matter what their background is, how wise, how rich or poor they are. We are all part of this crowd. Jesus revealed to us that we have a lot of value. Light is indispensable to life, sel is indispensable to taste, life of faith and justice is indispensable to this world. He tells us to not be afraid to show who we are, because this is how we reflect the light of God.