Deep in the heart of every human person there is a question that never goes away: What will truly make me happy? We search for joy in many places—success, security, recognition, comfort. Yet again and again, these promises disappoint us. Today, on the mountain of the Beatitudes, Jesus looks at us with tenderness and courage, and he dares to tell us the truth about joy.
Jesus goes up the mountain. This is not an escape from reality, but a change of perspective. Below, on the plain, life is governed by rivalry, competition, comparison, and fear—“all is vanity and a chasing after the wind.” On the mountain, Jesus proposes another way of living, another scale of values, another path to happiness. And it surprises us, even shocks us.
“Blessed”—that is, happy—are the poor in spirit. Happy not those who accumulate, but those who know they are not owners, only stewards. The poor in spirit are free people. They do not cling to the wealth or power, they do not close their hands or their hearts. They resemble God himself, who possesses everything yet keeps nothing for himself, who gives everything—even his Son. Where there is this freedom, there the kingdom of heaven is already present.
“Blessed are those who mourn.” Jesus does not glorify suffering. He does not tell us to love pain. Rather, he blesses those who allow themselves to be wounded by the suffering of others. These are people who do not turn away, who do not say, “It is not my problem.” They weep with those who weep, but they do not surrender to despair.
“Blessed are the meek.” Meekness is not weakness but a sign of being brave. It is strength without violence, hatred, aggression and revenge. They resist evil not by imitating it, but by disarming it. Jesus himself is meek: he confronts injustice, but with love, patience, and forgiveness. Such people, Jesus promises, will inherit the earth—they will help God build a truly human world.
Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for God’s justice. It is not the justice that punishes, but the justice that saves, mercy that restores and forgiveness that gives a future. It is the happiness to see every person healed, reconciled, and brought back to life.
Then come mercy, purity of heart, and peace making. Mercy is not a feeling; it is action. Purity of heart is not external perfection, but an undivided heart. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the fullness of life for all. Those who live this way are called children of God—because they resemble the Father.
Finally, Jesus speaks of persecution. If we truly live the Gospel, we will disturb the logic of the world. Love threatens selfishness. Service threatens power. Mercy threatens injustice. Hence, persecution is not failure. It is a sign that we are walking with Christ.
The Beatitudes are not ideals for a few heroes, but the path for all the baptized. They are the roadmap of true joy. Let us ask the Lord for the courage to climb this mountain, to trust his word, and to believe that true happiness is in giving and loving.
Father Josekutty Matthew CMF
