March 7

and He began to teach them, saying: — Matt 5:2 BSB

The first word of Christ’s first sermon was “Blessed.”

The last view the world had of Him as He ascended into heaven was of Him blessing His friends. He came to bless the world, not to burden it; to comfort sorrow, not to increase it.

The Beatitudes give us a glimpse of heaven’s values. It’s important for us to study these “Blesseds” because they show us the qualities in life that please God and lead to true happiness. The world wouldn’t say “Happy are those who mourn” or “Happy are the meek,” but Christ’s Beatitudes describe those who are part of the heavenly kingdom—and that’s where every Christian belongs.

Salt preserves from corruption, and Christians are called to keep the world from moral decay. When Jesus said, “You are the light of the world,” He meant that we should be like lamps shining in the darkness, living sweetly, patiently, kindly, and helpfully.