Concrete Living of the Beatitudes

by Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.  |  02/16/2025  |  Weekly Reflection

Beloved Parishioners,

A few months back in this platform I shared a reflection on living the beatitudes. Thus, today’s gospel on the beatitudes according to Luke’s account offers me an opportunity to look at the practical aspect of the reflection. The Beatitudes offer us a practical blueprint for Christian living.

We define them as fundamental principles of blessedness because they aid us to understand and attain true happiness and fulfillment in the Christian faith. Living out the Beatitudes in our daily lives invariably involves translating these spiritual teachings into actionable behaviors and attitudes.

Each of this collection of eight blessings pronounced by Jesus begins with the phrase “Blessed are,” followed by a characteristic or condition that is associated with receiving God’s favor. One observable feature of these blessings is that they often stand in stark contrast to world values and subsequently offer radical reorientation of how we perceive happiness and success.

What are the practical steps to living out the Beatitudes? First, we practice humility by recognizing our limitations and being open to learning from others and by acknowledging that our strengths and resources are ultimately gifts from God. This will open us up to regularly express gratitude for the blessings in our life; when we empathize with others, we show compassion and offer support to those who are grieving or suffering. This also challenges us to take an active role in addressing social injustices and working towards solutions that alleviate suffering. When wronged, we ought to choose to forgive and let go of resentment because meekness involves maintaining a spirit of reconciliation and peace. In the same vein, we should avoid seeking recognition or asserting dominance. Instead, we should focus on serving others and valuing their contributions; we should strive to engage in practices that foster spiritual growth, such as prayer, meditation, studying Scripture, and commitment to the sacraments. These practices allow us to refine our heart and intentions which enable us to make decisions and live in a manner that reflects our commitment to God’s principles; to be merciful, we should practice forgiveness even in challenging circumstances, let go of grudges and offer grace to those who have wronged us. Engage in acts of kindness and generosity towards others, and look for opportunities to help those in need, whether through volunteering or financial support. Finally, we must stand firm in faith, remain steadfast in our Christian beliefs and values, even when faced with opposition or persecution, draw strength from our faith and trust in God’s provision, and advocate for those who are suffering for their faith or values, and offer support and raise awareness about their plight. Living out the Beatitudes in our daily lives requires a deep commitment to embodying the values and principles that Jesus taught us.

My beloved parishioners, as we reflect on this concrete aspect of living these beatitudes, the Charity and Development Appeal which begins today may be a way for us to dive into it in a more practical way. On that note, I appeal to each one of you to donate to this project. Our goal this year has been increased from $60,000.00 to $101,012.00. Your generosity has been amazing, and I would appeal for more support, especially now that our goal has increased. May no one get tired as I pray God to repay each of you.