The beatitudes of Jesus are guidelines towards a faith-filled life. These eight blssings sum up what it means to be a child of God’s kingdom.
GOSPEL PASSAGE: Matthew 5:1-12a
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’
REFLECTIONS:
Mountains are natural landforms that rise above their surroundings, typically defined by slopes, hills, and a peak. They naturally attract attention when seen from the lowlands. As we climb the slopes and advance toward the peaks, the horizon opens up and we see into the distance.
Many key events in the Bible took place on mountains. Noah’s Ark stopped on Mount Ararat. Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. Jesus’s Transfiguration occurred on a mountain. Jesus started his mission in Galilee, a land that was called the “Land of the Nations” (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:15-16). This is a fertile corridor along the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee, with rolling hills and valleys in the north of Israel. Capernaum, the hometown of Peter, Andrew, John, and James, sits on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, 200 meters below sea level. (1)
The site located between Capernaum and Ginosar (Gennesaret) is called the Korazim Plateau, or Mount Eremos. It stands 200 meters above the lake’s level but is still 25 meters below sea level. This elevation offers panoramic views of the Sea of Galilee, the fertile plains of Gennesaret, and the surrounding hills. Three kilometers from Capernaum and two miles from Tabgha, we find this rugged area of the mountainside. (1) In Greek, Eremos signifies a place not well-suited for agricultural use. (2) Exactly because of that the Mount of the Beatitudes, it is perfect for hiking and reflection, offering a magnificent view of the northern part of the Sea of Galilee, the neighboring villages by the shore, and the Golan Heights across the lake. (1)
Here is where the mission of Jesus started. Here is where He met His disciples and invited them. Here is where He told His disciples to return after His resurrection: “Do not weep but tell my brothers I am going ahead of you to Galilee” (Matthew 28:10; Mark 16:7). Jesus met His disciples here and appeared to them after the resurrection, commissioning them to “…make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:16-20).
It was Jesus’s favorite place. The beautiful landscape inspired thinking and reflection. He started His mission after John the Baptist had been arrested; He visited the disciples and His fame started to spread. People started to follow Him wherever He went. A short distance from the city was this hill, offering a place to gather and a natural amphitheater where the sound carried far. Today, there is a church built at the location: the Church of the Beatitudes, designed by Antonio Barluzzi in 1938. (1)
Jesus taught in the open air by word and example. The eight beatitudes are eight blessings that seem counterintuitive at first. That is because they lay open a new way of living with the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. The first part of the blessing starts with the reality of this world, where there is suffering, loss, conflict, divisions, and differences of opinion. It offers an aim and guidance to fix our gaze upon and to set as an ideal the kingdom of God that is here on earth through the presence of God. God is not removed and distant, but a part of our lives and everyday living.
The first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Poverty here is not meant in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense—a term used for those who know that they entirely depend on God. They have no other source of sustenance spiritually than to seek refuge in God. This is the belief that for spiritual life, we are totally dependent on God. This can be the experience in situations where we have done everything on our part and a situation cannot be changed. (3) We feel that we have exhausted all our resources and that it is not enough. We feel drained of strength and do not have any help from anywhere that can change what is happening. When we witness that we are physically, psychologically, and spiritually powerless over an event, we cry out to God for help because humanly we cannot carry the burden. Jesus’s promise is that this crying out will draw us into a different and deeper relationship with God where we no longer need to question if He is with us. The moment we reach out, He is there. In our most desperate situations, He is present and He blesses us.
The second beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Those who mourn are those experiencing great sorrow because of a loss—be it a loved one or the loss of an ideal. Humanly, losses are experienced as the final end of something we held dear. In a different dimension, Jesus says nothing that is dear is lost; it is preserved. In times of grief, Jesus promises a reality in which all that is good, beautiful, and worthwhile lives on forever. Through the eyes of faith, it is possible to maintain a continuity between what was and what remains. Jesus’s promise is that there is comfort and consolation in God’s plan. When there is an end to human effort, God takes over and preserves what is valuable, reaffirming that we are worthwhile and loved.
The third beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” The meek are those who completely trust God and His will, gaining strength from this knowledge to act with humility and gentleness instead of aggression. (3) The meek understand that if they have power, it is because of the power of God that does not seek dominance. They place their human strength at the disposal of God’s will. They know that human strength is finite and feeble in comparison to what God can accomplish even through a weak person. Because their inner value is confirmed in the love of God, they can accept humiliations and make sacrifices for others. They seek no rewards for their good deeds, but through faith, know that God stands firm with them.
The fourth beatitude: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” This blessing is for those who seek justice in a world where fairness is often missing. Righteousness refers to being morally right and correct. (3) Those who hunger for it strive for the ideal of justice and equality. Through the lens of faith, righteousness is found in God’s justice; what we cannot yet achieve will be possible in the kingdom of God. A righteous person acts in accordance with a Divine ideal and demonstrates integrity. Figures like Noah, Job, Daniel, Abraham, Zechariah, and St. Joseph were faithful to God’s commandments even when they experienced mockery or danger. They were not sinless, but they constantly aimed to perfect themselves toward the image God intended them to be—law-abiding, compassionate, and obedient.
The fifth beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Being merciful means being empathetic toward the experiences of others and, whenever possible, easing their burdens. It means withholding harsh words, abstaining from dismissing people based on differences, and reaching out even when it is unpleasant or results in no reward. Being merciful means listening to the pleas of others and having a heart for them. It is about being available and responding beyond what is expected or one’s duty. God is merciful, and He will honor those who are merciful.
The sixth beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” The children of God recognize in others God’s handprint and image. Even when opinions differ, it is important to listen and understand without jumping to judgment. Harmony in society is built when we identify shared values in harmony with God’s plan. The art of peacemaking starts with undivided attention to what people are communicating. Peacemakers draw attention to the role of talking, listening, and silence, so that God’s voice can be discerned. They help to build a God-centered community where there is peace and harmony.
The seventh beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Pure in heart means being authentic, honest, and straightforward—free from deceit, hypocrisy, calculations, or hidden agendas. (3) It is someone focused on seeking God and understanding His calling. They act to honor God rather than to please people. To be pure in heart takes a lifetime to cultivate because one needs to reflect on and intentionally remove bad habits. The pure in heart are not perfect; they are people who recognize their failings and work consciously to correct their imperfections for the greater glory of God.
The eighth beatitude: “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you… Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” This blessing acknowledges that there is evil in the world. Evil works by twisting and shaming what is true and beautiful. Therefore, living according to the laws of God may not always be met with acceptance. Jesus experienced this rejection and was sentenced to death by the perversion of the law. He promises that those who suffer for His sake will be rewarded. This applies to those who are ignored or sidelined in their suffering. God does not look away; whoever suffers innocently and offers that suffering to the Lord will be blessed. We cannot control how others react, but we can choose how we respond to our own suffering and the suffering of others.
The beatitudes offer a vision through the lens of faith. We live in the world, but we must remember that our purpose is to live for the glory of God. We do this:
- By knowing ourselves: Recognizing our limitations and sins but knowing we are singularly precious to God and with His help, we can advance toward His vision for who we are and how we are to live.
- By loving others: Seeing them as God’s beloved and seeking to be merciful and peaceful with everyone.
- By loving God: Placing our relationship with Him as the primary aim of our being.
This order reflects the Great Commandment: Love God above all else and love your neighbor as yourself. That will help you know who you are. Jesus’s beatitudes do not just tell us what not to do, but what to do: strive for a virtuous life dedicated to God. It is not possible to capture every facet of this teaching, as it is meant to be pondered in the depths of the heart. Jesus gave this sermon in a picturesque setting, evoking the paradise the earth could be, and promising that this paradise is already ours in the kingdom of God.
Sources:
- See the Holy land (2022). Mount of Beatitudes. Retrieved from: https://www.seetheholyland.net/mount-of-beatitudes/ Accessed: January 27, 2026.
- Bible Study Tools (2026). Eremos meaning—Greek Lexicon. New Testament (NAS). Retrieved from: www.biblestudytools.com. Accessed: January 27, 2026.
- Raistrick, T. (2020). The Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes. Retrieved from: https://stbarbaras.com/church-services/talks/the-sermon-on-the-mount-1-the-beatitudes/ Accessed: January 26, 2026.