A Different Measure of a Good Life

In today’s Gospel (Mt 5:1-12a),when Jesus sits down on the mountain and begins to speak, He does not begin by correcting the crowds or pointing out what they lack. He begins by blessing them. The Beatitudes are spoken to people who are tired, hopeful, grieving, and searching. Jesus looks upon ordinary lives and calls them already blessed, because God’s love is not earned, it is given.

He begins with “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” inviting us to let go of the pressure to have everything figured out. To be poor in spirit is to recognize our need God, and to be at peace with that truth. Jesus promises that the Kingdom of Heaven already belongs to those who live with this kind of humble trust.

Jesus then blesses those who mourn, those who are meek, and those who long deeply for what is right. He acknowledges sorrow, disappointment, and longing. He does not rush past pain or explain it away. Instead, He assured us that God sees every hidden struggle and holds it with care.

As the blessings continue, Jesus recognizes those who show mercy, who seek purity of heart, and who work quietly for peace. In these gentle acts, Jesus shows us that holiness grows through faithfulness and compassion.

The final blessings speak to moments when living faithfully feels costly.  Kindness, integrity, and trust in God are not always rewarded by this world. Jesus encourages us not to lose heart. “Rejoice and be glad” He says, because God’s promise is sure. The Beatitudes offer us a different measure of a good life, one rooted in trust, love, and the quiet assurance that God is with us.

1.Which Beatitude speaks most clearly to your life right now, and why?

2. In what ways might God be inviting you to live the Beatitudes more fully?

3.What longing of your heart do you bring most often to God in prayer?