The Beatitudes – the way to follow you, Christ my Lord. The lessons you have given to me are always there, but how often do I really take them to heart? Where lies my priorities? Where o where are my ears – ought they to hear?

You knew Lord, of what I would read as I began to pray this morning.

You knew last night when I was reading an email from my AV Community friend with whom I had shared my blogging that I told him how I was afraid to share these words of mine with others for fear of it becoming a source of pride for me. I wanted to – it is why I went from journaling in a notebook to creating a blog. But it has been hidden for over 20 days. Fear – such a little word Lord.

You heard me say to my friend, I will ask if I’m to share. He encouraged me to not wait. Still, I knew not to move too quickly. You know how the enemy likes to trip me up with my type A personality. You know how I like to add on and on, placing layers upon myself and sometimes making it an obstacle between us.

It feels as if I’ve been down this road before. I recall December, 2013, sitting in a restaurant with another dear friend, talking about blogging for you Lord. About how to evangelize using the internet, how to reach those who are alone, seeking, wanting someone to touch their hearts with the words of Your grace, mercy and love. The desire was real. The methodology was of the enemy. I was relying on me not on You. Again, I ponder where all this is from.

Here I am, seven years later. I read this morning right off, in the entrance antiphon for Mass. “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” You speak further to me: “O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we, who call on you in our need, may at your prompting discern what is right and by your guidance do it.” Was I not discerning this for some time? Was I not discerning so many things and you who have all the answers for my life wait for me to sit and listen?

And you commanded Elijah, “Leave here, go east and hide in the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan. You shall drink of the stream, and I have commanded ravens to feed you there. So he left and did as the Lord commanded. Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and he drank for the stream.” You will provide for me, I know that. I trust in you. I believe you are guiding my thoughts, my words and actions by your Holy Spirit. But I am still drawn to being sinful, so I walk, talk and listen carefully – who is speaking to me? The enemy knows you are so powerful and with you in me much can occur he would not like. Your commands to your creatures are not desires but ways to give glory to the Father through obedience and docility.

“The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade; he is beside you at your right hand. The sun shall not harm you by day, nor the might by night.” Yes, Lord, you are with me. Because I think of you throughout my day. I praise you and seek you and desire to do your will. I am who you created me to be. I am your beloved daughter and may all glory come to you, for you hide me in the shelter of your wing, you bring me to green pastures, you comfort me in my afflictions. I have no reason to fear, no reason to be afraid. THAT is coming from the enemy.

Lastly you gave me the beautiful Gospel today of the Beatitudes. All the Blessed’s which I have from you to reach true happiness. They are sometimes hard to understand; yet it is only because of my lack in humility, docility, meekness, kindness, charity, understanding and selfishness. They alone are worthy of hours of reflection. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1725 The Beatitudes take up and fulfill God’s promises from Abraham on by ordering them to the Kingdom of heaven. They respond to the desire for happiness that God has placed in the human heart.

1726 The Beatitudes teach us the final end to which God calls us: the Kingdom, the vision of God, participation in the divine nature, eternal life, filiation, rest in God.

1727 The beatitude of eternal life is a gratuitous gift of God. It is supernatural, as is the grace that leads us there.

1728 The Beatitudes confront us with decisive choices concerning earthly goods; they purify our hearts in order to teach us to love God above all things.

1729 The beatitude of heaven sets the standards for discernment in the use of earthly goods in keeping with the law of God.

I. THE BEATITUDES

1716 The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus’ preaching. They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham. The Beatitudes fulfill the promises by ordering them no longer merely to the possession of a territory, but to the Kingdom of heaven:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil
against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.¹²

May I reflect upon them throughout my day, and return tonight for what you have shown me.

Prayer 608