Blog Post #6: The Beatitudes

What were new things that you learned about the Beatitudes?
In the Beatitudes, they state what people get rewarded for instead of punished, and I feel that overall, I do a lot of those things without noticing. It is important to follow all the Beatitudes through life, and it should be expected of us, but sometimes we need a reminder. They specifically state ways we should be living our life; merciful, humble, peaceful, and righteous. The Beatitudes are like motivators, they let us know that we will be rewarded for our good deeds: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God and Blessed are the peacemakers: the children of God. Some Beatitudes can comfort us in times of hardship; Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted and Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Overall, the Beatitudes can serve as many references throughout people's lives and they guide us to live better lives.
Which beatitude resonates with you the most and why?
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This Beatitude really comforted me because of how many people suffer for no reason. Many people are blamed and persecuted for being good people. I have always worried about helping others even though it made me look weak in front of my friends and other similar situations. However, this beatitude reminds me not to worry and that I should help others and be righteous even if I will get judged for it. I feel that many teens could benefit from this beatitude because it is comforting when peer pressure is present. It also can help people become stronger individuals and help them stick to what they believe in, ignoring the people who discourage them from that belief.

What were some things you realized during the class discussion (“speed dating”)?
During our class discussion, I realized how many people have gone through the same things as me, and how it affected them. It opened my eyes to the similar worries my friends have. We talked about how we could live out the beatitudes better, like including others, trying to keep the peace between friends, and forgiving friends. It was fun to see how others interpreted the beatitudes, and actually helped me understand one better; Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. At first I was confused with the meaning of meek, but now I understand how it means humble. Many of the beatitudes are hard to picture in people's lives, but talking with others helps visualize them in relatable situations.
How can you display the beatitudes more in your life?
In life, if you ever see someone sitting alone or who feels excluded, making sure to include them and feel that people care about them is very important. That relates to this beatitude: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Creating and maintaining peace between friends and family is also something that could be done, however it might not be easy. Furthermore, forgiving those who have wronged you and asking for forgiveness can help maintain peace. For Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God, having good intentions and ignoring the negative ones you might have is a perfect way to live it out. Making sure to have a good spirit and be a positive person can only be good, and directly relates to Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Overall, people can interpret the Beatitudes in many ways and living them out can appear in many different ways.  

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This image is a depiction of Sermont on the Mount, where Jesus teaches people about the Beatitudes. Jesus is introducing the people the ways to live life, and you can see the audience intently listening. This was the moment where people could reference the Beatitudes to become better and live a life full of good deeds.

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