Inner Beauty

During some down time this past summer, I was reading a friend's blog, which talked about the sermon on the mount, and I found myself thoughtless. [It's like being speechless when I am solitary.] I decided that I better reacquaint myself with what might be considered one of the most important speeches ever recorded.

Of course Jules' was my first choice to read through the Gospel of Matthew with some inspiring music and delicious java. It's a wonderful book, sometimes my favorite version of the good news.

Lectio Divina is a method of prayer & contemplation involving scripture. The idea is to get stuck on a word or phrase in order to delve deeper. Well I couldn't get away from a big chunk, the Beatitudes.

I've always accepted them and put them aside, but this time was different. I no longer believe it is a coinicidence that "Beatitude" looks extremely similar to "Beauty." I was trying to figure out what made someone beautiful; these are the qualities.

I've translated the NAB version of Matthew 5:3-12a, the Beatitudes, into what I refer to as the Inner Beauties [directly underneath each one].

Enjoy...

The Beatitudes; The Inner Beauties

Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who understand that being dependent on God is what it means to live in the kingdom, now and forever

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are those who do not pretend and bottle up their problems, for they allow others to love them. How else can we achieve God’s call for us to be in relation and love our neighbor as ourselves if love is not accepted?

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are those who are free from the material world, for they are truly the masters of what God has given them.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are those who search for God in prayer and community, for they will find love and meaning in life.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are those who do not waste their time in hatred towards others, for they will find many occasions for peace and joy in their lives.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are those who have no affliction, which would distort their ability to see God in the everyday.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who experience the magnificence of belonging to God, for they will create peace in virtue of their Father’s unconditional love.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who choose to live in accordance with God’s will, for even when others abuse them they remain living the good life.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
Blessed are we [am I] who believe in something greater than any criticism brought our [my] way. For when others are persecuted and despair, we [I] remain hopeful and assured of a resurrected life.