The Manila Times

Reading the Beatitudes today

FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

BLESSED are the poor in Spirit for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Blessed are you when you do not live and work for wealth and affluence.

Blessed are you when you do not constantly rue the fact that you are not as wealthy as your next-door neighbor.

Blessed are you when you do not think that all is well with you because you have a bank account holding stunning figures and property to last beyond your lifetime.

Blessed are you when you drill into your children the precious lesson that God’s gifts are to be shared, not spared for oneself. – Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are you when you do not swagger around because you have high office or because you have people at your beck and call.

Blessed are you when you are aware that you are tallest when you are on your knees, imploring God’s mercy.

Blessed are you when you come to the defense of all who are victimized by arrogance and the abuse of power.

– Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are you when you keep yourself from chasing after vain pleasures in a foolish effort to distract you from the realization of your bankruptcy in spirit.

Blessed are you when you look forward to the joy of communion with God and are willing to sunder sinful ties and allegiances that keep you away from him.

– Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for what is right, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are those who courageously stand by what is true and right even if it should not be popular, and even if the raging mob should howl against it.

Blessed are they who recognize that not everything is permissible, that there is a difference between good and evil and that feelings are not the best criteria for discernment. – Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be shown them. That mercy that I to others show, that mercy show to me. Blessed are you when you never sacrifice anyone at the altar of your ambition.

Blessed are you when you desist from pressing what might legally be yours but that may leave the other in penury and in misery.

Blessed are you when you rise from your richly-laden table to attend to the beggar who stands pitifully at your door. – Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God. Blessed are they who avoid the ways of duplicity, whose hearts are free of guile and deceit.

Blessed are they who act from motives that are noble and holy, steering clear of what may be self-serving and selfish.

Blessed are they who shun promiscuity and keep themselves from using others for personal satisfaction.

– Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who will not send their armies to war in a bid for power, glory and fame, and blessed are those who come to the aid of the victims of aggression.

Blessed are you when you are told something that may be harmful to the reputation of others, and decide that you will not pass the slur on. Blessed are you when you nobly take the first step at reconciliation. Blessed are you when it comes easily to you to say: “I am sorry.” – Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of right; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who bear taunts, ridicule and insult of their advocacy for what is right.

Blessed are those who will not lend a hand to the unjust persecution and prosecution of others.

Blessed are the parents who are hated by their children because they will not yield to the iniquitous choices and the caprice of their children.

– Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Blessed are they who do not count on flattery and the applause of the multitude to know what is right and just.

Blessed are they who willingly take a lonely position — against multitudes — because it is the right choice.

Blessed are they who will not sit down to supper with the Devil and insist on the Gospel, in season and out of season.

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2023-01-30T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-30T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/281784223230818

The Manila Times