“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people 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, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” – Matthew 5:3:12
The Hebrew word for “blessed” is בָּרוּךְ (Baruch). This term is derived from the root word בָּרַךְ (barak), which means to kneel or to praise, indicating a deep acknowledgment of God’s favor and sovereignty.
Humility is living with the understanding that it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That truth transforms life and leads the way to all other Beatitudes. It is because you are poor in spirit that you can walk in all the Beatitudes.
The Catechism says that humility is the foundation of prayer, which helps us stay focused and motivated to be like Jesus.
The end result: happiness. The Hebrew word for blessed – Baruch- is to be happy. We were created by God in such a way that we reach ultimate happiness this side of heaven by allowing Jesus to live in and through us.
I think it’s time we told people the key to happiness, don’t you? Why do we continue to be silent when the world is looking for happiness? Is it that we have not experienced it ourselves? Human beings are inherently restless and unfulfilled when seeking happiness in transient things like wealth or pleasure, power, honor, or even relationships alone. These provide only temporary or illusory satisfaction leading to sorrow when lost or unfulfilled. True and lasting happiness.
There’s a reason we’re together today. There’s a reason: True and lasting happiness comes solely from union with God, who is eternal, immutable, and the supreme good.
God created humans for himself. God created you for himself. God created you in his image and likeness, and when he did, He imprinted in you a deep longing that only He can satisfy. I promise you, only he can satisfy. How long will you dance around this fact and continue to search for happiness in things?
Saint Augustine put it this way in his Confessions book – “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”