I
am happy to report that I have returned to work full time and that all my
illnesses are behind me now. The last 4 1/2 months have been quite a struggle
but with your prayers and the skill of several doctors and nurses, my recent
medical issues have been eradicated. Needless to say, I am very happy to be
back. This weekend we celebrate the feast of All Saints. On this Feast, we read
the Gospel of Matthew and the famous Sermon on the Mount. I thought I might
come in briefly on the eight beatitudes.
Question:
"What are the beatitudes?"
Answer:
The Beatitudes are the eight declarations of blessedness spoken by Jesus at the
beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, each beginning with "Blessed
are..." It is debated as to exactly how many beatitudes there are. Some
speak of seven, nine, or ten beatitudes, but the number appears to be eight
(verses 10-12 of being one beatitude).
The
Greek word translated “blessed” means "spiritual well-being and
prosperity." This refers to the deep joy of the soul. Those who experience
the first aspect of a beatitude (poor, mourn, meek, hungry for righteousness,
merciful, pure, peacemakers, and persecuted) will also experience the second
aspect of the beatitude (kingdom of Heaven, comfort, inherit the earth, filled,
mercy, see God, called sons of God, inherit the kingdom of Heaven). The blessed
have a share in salvation and have entered the kingdom of God, experiencing a
foretaste of heaven. Another possible
rendering of each beatitude is an exclamation of: "O the bliss [or
blessedness] of..."
The
Beatitudes describe the ideal disciple and his rewards, both present and
future. The person whom Jesus describes in this passage has a different quality
of character and lifestyle than those still "outside the kingdom." As
a literary form, the beatitude is also found often in the Old Testament,
especially in the Psalms (1:1; 34:8; 65:4; 128:1) and in the New Testament as
well.
Please
remember the resettlement bazaar which is next Saturday from 9 AM until 2:30 PM
in the parish hall. There will be many vendors, a lunch counter, a bake table
and Father Phil's dinners to go.
Saturday
morning Mass at 9:15 AM will resume on November 14. The Christmas giving trees
will be in the vestibule in about two weeks with the gift tags attached. The
return date for the Christmas tags will be December 12. More information will
follow.
Please
remember to write the names of those who wish to be remembered during November
in our Holy Souls Book.
I hope you have a good
week.
Fr. Phil
