In his morning meditation on 9 June 2014, Pope Francis remarked that “The Beatitudes are 'the Christian’s identity card’. Thus, when someone asks, ‘How does one become a good Christian?’, the answer is simple: do what Jesus says in his discourse on the Beatitudes.”
In the television series, The Chosen, the
character of Jesus describes the Beatitudes as a map to the Kingdom of God. In Season 2, Episode 8, Matthew asks, “But how is it a map?” and Jesus responds, “If someone wants to find me, those are the groups they should look for.”
Having let God into our lives, God calls us to action. When we are in a relationship with God, we can no longer ignore the injustices and wars around us. We feel compelled to act because a relationship
with God is not a passive feel-good experience. It is a radical transformation to turn the world upside down, to act paradoxically to what society expects of us.
Being peacemakers begins with small, everyday encounters with those around us, the people we live and work with, as well as those we meet on the street. The miracle is that when we interact with others in a loving and Christlike way, we become more fully the people God wants
us to be.
Where can I be a bridge-builder today?
As you reread the Beatitudes this week, how do you feel about calling them the “identity card of the Christian”? Is this true for you?
