The Christian Life
No one can force us to live the Christian Life - at least not fully, wholeheartedly. To live the Christian Life is something that we must choose for ourselves in freedom. That choice - in freedom - leads us to even greater freedom. Freedom that cannot be given by any earthly thing.
The Beatitudes
Then Jesus began to speak. This is what he taught them:
- ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
- Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
- Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of righteousness, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
To Be Blessed
Consider what it might mean to be the opposite of the things Jesus describes. For example, what might it mean to be someone who is the opposite of ‘gentle’ or ‘a peacemaker’? Looking at the Beatitudes from this ‘direction’, is it easier to see how being the things that Jesus identifies will mean that we are blessed?
Can you see a connection between living the Beatitudes and being happy?
“The way to the goal begins on the day when you assume full responsibility for your actions.”Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)
What might you focus on in the coming weeks in order to really choose the Christian Life for yourself?
Freedom
Those who abandon themselves totally into God’s hands do not become God’s puppets, boring “yes men”; they do not lose their freedom.
Only those who entrust themselves totally to God find true freedom, the great, creative immensity of the freedom of good. Those who turn to God do not become smaller
but greater, for through God and with God they become great, they become divine, they become truly themselves.
Pope Benedict XVI
Updating the Software
Learing to live the Christian Life is not something that happens overnight. Recognising what God gives us and responding to it is not something that happens all at once. God continues to guide us, lead us and give to us every day of our lives.
In order to really take to heart all that is given - and respond well - it is important to take time to reflect. Ideally we do that each day, and a good way to do it is to use Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s Examen prayer.
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