CORE 52 | Week 18 | Blessedness
August 10, 2022

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Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading)

The beatitudes are well known. They refer to qualities that make for a happier life and that are part of everyone’s experience.

READ
We will read Matthew 5:1-12 (below) through twice, from different perspectives.

REFLECT
Jesus offers some helpful guides for happiness. The first three beatitudes and the final beatitude call for a person to be receptive in a time of need. The central beatitudes challenge the faithful to action. Think about the beatitudes you arleady pracitce.


PRAY
Identify one beatitude that you need to have in your life. Pray that the Holy Spirit may help you with this.


ACT
Beatitudes are meant to be lived. Act on the one you have prayed for. Pake a plan before finishing this time of Lectio Divina.

Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV)

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he began to speak and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.


6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.


7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.


8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.


9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.


10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Key Points

  1. Both Hebrews and Greeks were blessed by friends, wealth, and health, as well as the wisdom and morality to live in the right way.

  2. Jesus, amplifying themes expressed earlier in Jewish literature, altered the normal rules of who was blessed to include the poor, meek, mourning, and beaten.

  3. In Jewish tradition, martyrs were blessed by obeying God’s commands. In Christian tradition, we’re blessed by obeying Jesus’s commands. He and God are on par.


FOR REFLECTION

  1. How would you define happiness and how is it different from being blessed?

  2. Family, health, wealth, and security lead to happiness in Greek culture. Define what happiness in each of these areas looks like in American culture.

  3. What have you observed that people do to chase after happiness but find it seldom brings happiness?

  4. How have you seen this statement played out: “Happiness is in significance, not success”?

  5. Which of the beatitudes seem most counter-cultural to you?

  6. Which is most counter-intuitive? Why?

  7. Read Matthew 5:3-12. How is a person in each of these beatitudes blessed?

  8. How do you feel blessed in your personal life?

  9. How can we be persecuted and still be happy? How can we be blessed through persecution?
  10. Is there a specific step you need to take to align more closely with Jesus’ teachings in the beatitudes?


Action Steps

  1. Go to www.icommittopray.com, the website of the Voice of the Martyrs. Read one story of a Christian suffering persecution. Pray for that person for three consecutive days.

  2. Think a out what we can do to stay more in touch with the persecuted church, and share with the group next week.


DAILY JOURNAL

WEDNESDAY
Read the essay.


THURSDAY
Memorize Matthew 5:11-12.


FRIDAY
Read John 3:1-4:42.


MONDAY
Meditate on Meditate on James 1:2, 12; 4:10; 1 Peter 4:13–14.


TUESDAY
Go to www.icommittopray.com, the website of the Voice of the Martyrs. Read one story of a Christian suffering persecution. Pray for that person for three consecutive days.


OVERACHIEVER CHALLENGE
Memorize Memorize James 4:10.