Interactions

Read It:  Matthew 5:3-12 (NRSV)

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 righteousness’ sake, 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. 


Learn It:
There has always been much discussion about the beatitudes listed above.  Many people wonder why Jesus would say blessed (or happy) are those people who experience these things.  This passage is one that tends to stump a lot of people about what Jesus means by all of these sayings.  One thing you could say that these sayings all boil down to is our attitude/behavior toward God and toward our neighbors.  They don't have to deal with following certain laws or rituals but instead about how we interact with those we encounter. 


Share It:
With the idea that these qualities might be behaviors or attitudes toward God and neighbor read the passage above again line by line and try to see as a family how your responses might fit into each one.  How did you see the passage before you came up with your responses and how do you see the passage now?  Is it more confusing now or less confusing?  


Live It:
Try to pick one of the above beatitudes and try one out.  If it is one that you decided works with God then interact with God that way this week and if you chose a one that has to do with your neighbor then try to figure out how you can interact with a neighbor in that way.  

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Please post comments with your experience with the share it or live it part of this weeks post.  Let others know if you and your family found this useful.