The Beatitudes & 10 The Beatitudes & 10 CommandmentsCommandments

Guidelines for LifeGuidelines for Life

The 8 BeatitudesThe 8 Beatitudes

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

Blessed are they who mourn, Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart, Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

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

"Poor in spirit" means to be humble. "Poor in spirit" means to be humble.

Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God. from the grace of God.

To have poverty of spirit means to be completely empty and open To have poverty of spirit means to be completely empty and open to the Word of God. When we are an empty cup and devoid of to the Word of God. When we are an empty cup and devoid of pride, we are humble. pride, we are humble.

Humility brings an openness and an inner peace, allowing one to Humility brings an openness and an inner peace, allowing one to do the will of God. do the will of God.

It is pride, the opposite of humility, that brings misery. It is pride, the opposite of humility, that brings misery. For pride brings anger and the seeking of revenge, especially For pride brings anger and the seeking of revenge, especially

when one is offended. when one is offended. If every man were humble and poor in spirit, there would be no If every man were humble and poor in spirit, there would be no

war! war!

Blessed are they who mourn, for they Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." shall be comforted."

The Beatitudes built one upon another. The Beatitudes built one upon another. That means if we are humble and That means if we are humble and

appreciate that all of our gifts and appreciate that all of our gifts and blessings come from God, we grow in love blessings come from God, we grow in love and gratitude for Jesus Christ our Savior. and gratitude for Jesus Christ our Savior.

But this can only produce mourning and But this can only produce mourning and regret over our own sins and the sins of regret over our own sins and the sins of this world, for we have hurt the one who this world, for we have hurt the one who has been so good to us. has been so good to us.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." inherit the earth."

A person who is meek is gentle and kind, A person who is meek is gentle and kind, and exhibits a docility of spirit. and exhibits a docility of spirit.

Obedience and submission to the will of Obedience and submission to the will of God are certainly not in vogue these days, God are certainly not in vogue these days, but they will bring one peace in this world but they will bring one peace in this world and in the next. and in the next.

"Blessed are they who hunger and "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall thirst for righteousness, for they shall

be satisfied." be satisfied."

A continuous desire for justice and A continuous desire for justice and moral perfection will lead one to a moral perfection will lead one to a fulfillment of that desire - a transition fulfillment of that desire - a transition and conversion to holiness. and conversion to holiness.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." shall obtain mercy."

Love, compassion, and forgiveness towards Love, compassion, and forgiveness towards one's neighbor will bring peace in your one's neighbor will bring peace in your relationships. relationships.

Our Heavenly Father will be merciful with Our Heavenly Father will be merciful with you! Jesus reminds us that whatever "you you! Jesus reminds us that whatever "you did to the least of my brethren, you did it to did to the least of my brethren, you did it to me ." me ."

We will see these exposed in the Corporal We will see these exposed in the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy: and Spiritual Works of Mercy:

"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." shall see God."

To be pure of heart means to be free of all selfish To be pure of heart means to be free of all selfish intentions and self-seeking desires. What a beautiful intentions and self-seeking desires. What a beautiful goal! goal!

How many times have any of us performed an act How many times have any of us performed an act perfectly free of any personal gain? perfectly free of any personal gain?

But an act of pure and selfless giving brings But an act of pure and selfless giving brings happiness to all. happiness to all. - We will all see that as we do our “Pay It Forward” - We will all see that as we do our “Pay It Forward”

ProjectsProjects

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." they shall be called children of God."

Peacemakers not only live peaceful lives Peacemakers not only live peaceful lives but also try to bring peace and friendship but also try to bring peace and friendship to others, and to preserve peace between to others, and to preserve peace between God and man. God and man.

By imitating or mimicking God's love of By imitating or mimicking God's love of man, the peacemakers become children of man, the peacemakers become children of God. God.

""Blessed are they who are Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of persecuted for the sake of

righteousness, for theirs is the righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."Kingdom of Heaven."

Jesus said many times that those Jesus said many times that those who follow Him will be persecuted. "If who follow Him will be persecuted. "If they persecute me, they will they persecute me, they will persecute you ." persecute you ."

But the Lord promises his disciples But the Lord promises his disciples that their reward will be the Kingdom that their reward will be the Kingdom of Heaven! of Heaven!

The Corporal Works of The Corporal Works of MercyMercy

1 Feed the Hungry 1 Feed the Hungry 2 Give drink to the thirsty 2 Give drink to the thirsty 3 Clothe the naked 3 Clothe the naked 4 Shelter the homeless 4 Shelter the homeless 5 Comfort the imprisoned 5 Comfort the imprisoned 6 Visit the sick 6 Visit the sick 7 Bury the dead 7 Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of The Spiritual Works of MercyMercy

1 Admonish sinners 1 Admonish sinners 2 Instruct the uninformed 2 Instruct the uninformed 3 Counsel/advise the doubtful 3 Counsel/advise the doubtful 4 Comfort the sorrowful 4 Comfort the sorrowful 5 Be patient with those in error 5 Be patient with those in error 6 Forgive offenses 6 Forgive offenses 7 Pray for the living and the dead 7 Pray for the living and the dead

The 10 CommandmentsThe 10 Commandments I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the

Lord your God and Him only shall you serve. Lord your God and Him only shall you serve. You shall not take the name of the Lord your You shall not take the name of the Lord your

God in vain. God in vain. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Honor your father and your mother. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not kill. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your You shall not bear false witness against your

neighbor. neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

What do the 10 Commandments What do the 10 Commandments mean?mean?

The Ten Commandments are a description of the basic freedom from sin The Ten Commandments are a description of the basic freedom from sin that is necessary to live as a Christian. that is necessary to live as a Christian.

They are a minimum level of living, below which we must not go. They are a minimum level of living, below which we must not go.

The Ten Commandments and Catholicism have been bound together since The Ten Commandments and Catholicism have been bound together since the time of Christ. In fact, Jesus refers to the Ten Commandments and the time of Christ. In fact, Jesus refers to the Ten Commandments and assures their validity in his dialog with the rich young man in Matthew's assures their validity in his dialog with the rich young man in Matthew's Gospel (Mt 19:16-21). Gospel (Mt 19:16-21).

It's important to note that each Commandment is simply a It's important to note that each Commandment is simply a summarysummary of a of a whole category of actions. Don't be searching for a way around them whole category of actions. Don't be searching for a way around them because their wording doesn't fit you perfectly! because their wording doesn't fit you perfectly!

For example, "bearing false witness against your neighbor" covers For example, "bearing false witness against your neighbor" covers any any kind of kind of

falsehood: perjury, lying, slander, detraction, rash judgment, etc.falsehood: perjury, lying, slander, detraction, rash judgment, etc. The Commandments express man's The Commandments express man's fundamental dutiesfundamental duties to God and to God and

neighbor. They represent neighbor. They represent gravegrave obligations. To violate them knowingly & obligations. To violate them knowingly & willingly in a significant way is to commit willingly in a significant way is to commit sin ~ mortal or venial ~ mortal or venial

The 1st Commandment: I am the Lord your The 1st Commandment: I am the Lord your God, God,

Do Not Have False GodsDo Not Have False Gods

God made our world and created each one of us. God made our world and created each one of us.

He wants us to know that He loves us and that He He wants us to know that He loves us and that He will always be with us. will always be with us.

There are times when we forget and we make There are times when we forget and we make other people and things more important.  That is other people and things more important.  That is wrong.wrong.

   

The 2nd Commandment: Do Not Take God's The 2nd Commandment: Do Not Take God's Name in Name in Vain. Vain.

Names are special.  No one should Names are special.  No one should dishonor anyone's name.  Especially dishonor anyone's name.  Especially God's name. God's name.

His name should be: His name should be: Spoken with respect. Spoken with respect. Prayed to with care Prayed to with care Asked for with love Asked for with love    

The Third Commandment: Keep Holy the The Third Commandment: Keep Holy the Lord's Day Lord's Day

Our Lord wants us to have a day of rest.  A Our Lord wants us to have a day of rest.  A day when we can put aside our work and day when we can put aside our work and just think of how much we are loved by just think of how much we are loved by God.  That special day is Sunday aka the God.  That special day is Sunday aka the Lord's Day. Lord's Day.

We go to church on Sunday to spend time We go to church on Sunday to spend time with God.  We listen to God's Word at Mass with God.  We listen to God's Word at Mass and pray for each other. and pray for each other.

The Fifth Commandment: Do Not Kill The Fifth Commandment: Do Not Kill

God gave us life.  He gave each of us this God gave us life.  He gave each of us this special gift and we should treat our lives special gift and we should treat our lives and the lives of others with care and and the lives of others with care and respect. respect.

When we fight or do other disrespectful When we fight or do other disrespectful things, we are killing the special joy and things, we are killing the special joy and peace that is given to us by God.  Their life peace that is given to us by God.  Their life is precious, as ours is, and we must is precious, as ours is, and we must remember to honor that life. remember to honor that life.

The Fourth Commandment: The Fourth Commandment:   Honor your Father and Mother   Honor your Father and Mother

God gives you life but He shares that gift God gives you life but He shares that gift He has given with your Father and He has given with your Father and Mother.  He wants them to show you how Mother.  He wants them to show you how to love by the love they give to you and to love by the love they give to you and each other. each other. They are your best teachers.  They teach They are your best teachers.  They teach you lots of wonderful things including how you lots of wonderful things including how much God loves you. much God loves you.

Other people, like your grandparents or Other people, like your grandparents or aunts and uncles, have that special gift aunts and uncles, have that special gift from God also.  They need to be treated from God also.  They need to be treated with honor and respect, too. with honor and respect, too.

The Sixth Commandment: Do Not Commit The Sixth Commandment: Do Not Commit Adultery Adultery

This is mostly for married people.  When This is mostly for married people.  When two people get married, they promise to two people get married, they promise to share their love only with each other.  share their love only with each other.  They must keep that promise. They must keep that promise.

When people aren't married, this When people aren't married, this commandment reminds us to honor commandment reminds us to honor ourselves and be sincere with our friends.  ourselves and be sincere with our friends.  We should be a true friend and not break We should be a true friend and not break promises and not lead our friends to break promises and not lead our friends to break their promises. their promises.

The Seventh Commandment: Do Not Steal The Seventh Commandment: Do Not Steal

We all have things that are special to us.  We all have things that are special to us.  Perhaps we have worked hard and earned Perhaps we have worked hard and earned it or perhaps it was a gift for Christmas or it or perhaps it was a gift for Christmas or a birthday.  Whatever the reason, we a birthday.  Whatever the reason, we would never want what is ours to be taken would never want what is ours to be taken from us. from us. To just take what is not ours is wrong.  It is To just take what is not ours is wrong.  It is selfish and harmful.  Everyone has a right selfish and harmful.  Everyone has a right to what belongs to them. to what belongs to them.

When we cheat, it's the same thing.  When When we cheat, it's the same thing.  When we are cheating to win a game, to get the we are cheating to win a game, to get the right answer, whatever we cheat on, it's right answer, whatever we cheat on, it's taking what is not ours. taking what is not ours.

The Eighth Commandment: Do Not LieThe Eighth Commandment: Do Not Lie

The truth makes us happy and lies make us so The truth makes us happy and lies make us so sad.  Lies hurt other people and they hurts us.  sad.  Lies hurt other people and they hurts us.  There are times when we lie to get out of trouble.  There are times when we lie to get out of trouble.  There are times when a  lie seems to help. That There are times when a  lie seems to help. That isn't true.  A lie always hurts the respect we have isn't true.  A lie always hurts the respect we have of ourselves and it usually hurts another person.  of ourselves and it usually hurts another person.  A lie brings shame on us.  A lie makes us sad. A lie brings shame on us.  A lie makes us sad.    

When you tell other people's secrets, even if its When you tell other people's secrets, even if its true, that hurts them.  When we make them hurt, true, that hurts them.  When we make them hurt, we hurt ourselves we hurt ourselves

The Ninth Commandment The Ninth Commandment Honor your Neighbor's WifeHonor your Neighbor's Wife

Marriage is a special gift from God.  Marriage is a special gift from God.  Gifts always make us happy.  This Gifts always make us happy.  This gift of marriage is very special gift of marriage is very special between a man a woman and God between a man a woman and God doesn't want any other man or doesn't want any other man or woman to take this gift away. woman to take this gift away.

The Tenth Commandment: Honor Your The Tenth Commandment: Honor Your Neighbor's Neighbor's

Goods Goods Many times, other people have really neat things.  Many times, other people have really neat things. 

We might even wish that it was ours.  Many people We might even wish that it was ours.  Many people are good in sports or have really wonderful clothes. are good in sports or have really wonderful clothes.

To want nice things for ourselves is okay.  When we To want nice things for ourselves is okay.  When we become mean or nasty to others that have what become mean or nasty to others that have what we would like to have, that's wrong.  When we are we would like to have, that's wrong.  When we are unhappy and sulk because the other person is unhappy and sulk because the other person is better in sports or wears better clothes than we better in sports or wears better clothes than we wear, that's wrong. wear, that's wrong.

We need to admire the things that other people We need to admire the things that other people have.  We need to admire their special talents.  We have.  We need to admire their special talents.  We need to be happy for them.  We need to thank God need to be happy for them.  We need to thank God for the special gifts He has given us. for the special gifts He has given us.