Beatitude: Going Deeper - Essay Example

Coping up with change One day in the first century Christian era, the Lord Jesus Christ, after seeing the multitudes, went up to a mountain together with his disciples. There, according to the Liberty University Commentary, he taught them the state of mind and heart that true follower possesses in order to fulfill God’s will (Matthew 5:1-11) and ultimately attain salvation. The pronouncements made by Christ describe who a true Christian is and how he or she should act and think in a world filled with many wonders and mysteries. One world, one race, one gift. According to the United States Census Bureau (2008), there are more than 6 and a half billion people living in this earth. Although scientific evidences show that each individual carries a unique characteristic, and because of there are different tastes and preferences, there is a common thing that human beings share altogether: the freedom to choose what is desired (Deuteronomy 30:19). This freedom applies to all and is not entirely restricted to the Christian faith. In this freedom, there are things that should be considered by many like what characteristics to retain and what to dispose of. The attributes that a person chooses will determine his path towards one goal: eternal happiness, not here on earth, but in a place called “paradise.” As what Shakespeare once said: “To be or not to be, that is the question.” Each individual is gifted with freedom to choose who to follow and which path to take. This freedom is similar to voting for a promising candidate who will lead the nation to success. Some people say that a person gets to choose his or her own destiny but there are factors that affect one’s decisions. Most probably, determining exactly what tomorrow has in store is an impossible endeavor (James 4:14). This is a constantly changing world that is filled with uncertainties which in turn make upcoming events 99.99 percent unpredictable. It makes normal living a bit more difficult. The human race is still taken aback because of the many surrounding wonders and mysteries, even uncertainties that are present in this world. There are things that are either unexplainable or difficult to explain even with the advanced scientific knowledge (Ecclesiastes 8:17). Still, there are circumstances or events that puzzle the human logic and render the most powerful thinking machines useless. In the scientific field, biologists, to date, are still unsuccessful in creating a living cell despite extensive knowledge of its structure and composition. Physicists on the other hand, are still finding what really composes matter. So far, the basic structure of matter they have found thus far is what they call the “Higgs boson,” theoretically speaking. These wonders and mysteries have been teaching human beings valuable wisdom that are useful to everyday living. Beatitude: going deeper The word “beatitude” comes from the Latin word “beatus” which means “blessed.” The Greek equivalent is “makarios.” The Lord Jesus Christ started teaching God’s word at the age of 30 years (Luke 3:23) to the people, especially to those who hunger and thirst for God’s wisdom. One of the places in which he taught His word is in Galilee: in synagogues for example (Matthew 4:23) and on the mountain where he taught his disciples the beatitudes (Matthew 5:1). He also performed miracles like healing the sick and liberated individuals who were under the influence of evil spirits. Because of these wonders, people follow him around, both the curious and the salvation serious. The eight pronouncements made by Christ are also guides to how a Christian should live his life. The different guides pointed out by the Lord Jesus Christ here also pertain to everyday experiences that man will eventually and inevitably go through: deceit, wars, famines, disasters like earthquakes, pestilences, sorrows (Matthew 24:3-8). What was mentioned in the Holy Scriptures is obviously happening today. These experiences shape the heart and mind of a person. If the person is not prepared, the worst thing that can come is suicide. Challenges on the other hand are always there to test the integrity of the human mind and spirit. While others battle and stand in the end, some will give up. The pronouncements help remind a person to act accordingly in order to cope with the everyday changes. That is one way of God showing His endless love to humanity. He understands a human being more than we understand ourselves. Digging into the pronouncements deeper still Humility is beneficial. Being poor in spirit means that a person acknowledges his weaknesses; therefore, that person is modest, lacks pretence, and does not have a feeling of superiority over others (Martinuzzi, 2007). The word, “humility,” is seemingly widely understood by many and because of its popularity, the meaning is seldom looked upon in a dictionary. Humility is lovely to the thought and is one of the many good values strived for by many (Say, 2006). Humility then is likened to an empty glass. When empty, a glass can hold enough liquid as long as it doesn’t go beyond its capacity. Once it is filled, the excess flows over to the edges and cannot contain more. However, as long as the glass is kept empty, more liquid can be poured into it. The same is true with humility. It has a mind that has room for more knowledge and wisdom as long as it is receptive still to those. An apologetic mind can do wonders. Many people seldom admit their mistakes but often justify their actions when found wrong. However, there’s more to a five-letter “sorry” than meets the eye. Holly Weeks, a consultant based in Cambridge, Massachusetts once said that an apology “can enhance both reputations and relationships” if done correctly. However, if done wrong, “an apology can compound the original mistake, sometimes to disastrous consequences.” Apologizing or admitting a mistake doesn’t necessarily mean that a person is weak. In fact, it displays the strength of a person. Another type of person would not only apologize for his or her own self but will apologize for others. Understanding causes a person to do this since the act could have been done because of human weakness. Not many people have the courage to do this. Meekness is obedience. A meek person submits to someone higher authority and accepts the fact that he or she knows less than someone higher in authority. The person, even though there are situations which are not fully understandable, trusts the superior’s judgment and decisions; therefore, faithfully carries out the duties and responsibilities without question. When the situation arises, they, according to Matthew Concise “can bear insult, are silent or return a soft answer.” Whatever the circumstances are, a duty is a duty and an obligation is an obligation. John Wesley said that these kinds of persons who “hold their passions and affections evenly balanced.” The mind hungers and thirsts for more wisdom. The human mind isn’t contented when it senses that something is lacking. As a result, it won’t stop finding the answers to the questions that bother it. Neither is it contented to what it has now because it just isn’t enough and there is something more that could be added. It is constantly changes along with the world, continually searches for something, experiments different things and ideas with what it has and keeps on improving until such point that it is already satisfied. However, there is a question if the human mind really gets satisfied as it always “hungers and thirst for more.” Loving others unselfishly and unconditionally. The human heart is by nature warm and compassionate, or “tender hearted,” as what John Wesley says. In one particular situation, one feels pity towards another and extends whatever help that can be offered. Whether it be financial support, in kind or in the form of services, it doesn’t matter since the focus is on helping. The person is not self-centered since the concern towards others is greater than to the person himself. He or she would go at great lengths just to be of service to others, even if it means giving up some possessions or borrow money just to do so. A Pure Heart matters. Loving others more than oneself. A person is said to possess a pure heart if a clean conscience is maintained. Evil thoughts, intentions, greed, slander, arrogance and pride are set aside just to make way for an open and clean mind. The interaction between people is genuine and does not make any room for deceit. Peace maker. Lovers of the peace would do anything possible to promote it as long as they don’t break any established rule. These kinds of people would resort to peaceful methods of negotiations rather than through violence. “They keep the peace that it be not broken, and recover it when it is broken.” – Matthew Concise Perseverance is a virtue. There are situations that a person is being reprimanded because of doing the right thing yet doesn’t get discouraged but keeps on carrying out the assigned task. What may seem right to one person may be different to another. An action can be interpreted either positively or negatively. Praises come after positive result while reviling is the result of the negative. People who revile won’t stop until the person whom they revile is brought down. Yet, after all is said and done, the phrase “Well done” is better than “well said.” It’s the ability to stand out after the tempest has passed that makes a person strong and not just pure muscles. Blessed when reviled, persecuted by men. Just because of following the established law, a person is sometimes declared wrong by unscrupulous people who fear that their evil deeds will be exposed. The media men, particularly reporters experience these. They disappear or are abducted, harassed, or worst, killed just because they are doing what is expected of them: to cover and report the events. It not only stops there. Television personalities are not exempted from these terrible acts. There is a man named Eli Soriano who has suffered too much. The projects that the organization he presides like free bus rides and free train passes to the elderly are being negatively interpreted by his enemies. Just because of his exposes regarding the fraudulent activities of different organizations many detractors want his mouth firmly shut. For the first time in the history of Philippine broadcasting, a religious program has been suspended indefinitely by a government review board. This suspension is in direct violation of articles 18, 19 and 20. His enemies use their influence to permanently silence this person. Humility, meekness, purity, love, perseverance contribute to the well being of an individual. This is where the true strength of a true beatitude lies. Every test will be a challenge and every challenge will be happily accepted. Every test makes a person stronger, better and far more prepared. Every challenge benefits the human mind, whether triumphed over or not. In triumph, a template is imprinted in the mind which will make the problem of the same kind easier to solve. When lost, the human mind looks for other ways to solve it. The only time a person really goes kaput is when he or she gives up the fight and runs away from it. Sometimes, learning the hard way is necessary in order to grow into a human being who defiantly stands tall while remaining close to the ground. Whatever the circumstance is, there are always two choices to pick from: go for it or stay behind. Works cited Concise, Matthew Henry. “Matthew Henry Bible Commentary”. 2007. Gospelcom.net. 21 Apr. 2008. < http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/matthew/mh/matthew5.htm >. Darby, John. “John Darby’s Synopsis of the Bible”. 2007. Gospelcom.net. 21 Apr. 2008. < http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/matthew/darby/matthew5.htm >. Hurt, John. “King James Bible: Strong’s Greek Dictionary”. 2004. johnhurt.com. 20 Apr. 2008. < http://www.sacrednamebible.com/kjvstrongs/STRGRK31.htm>. Kasteren, John P. “The Eight Beatitudes”. The Catholic Encyclopedia Volume 2 1907. New Advent. Kevin Knight. 20 Apr. 2008. < http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02371a.htm >. “Liberty University Bible Commentary”. 2008. BiblePath.com. 21 Apr. 2008. < http://www.biblepath.com/commentary/beatitudes5a.html >. Martinuzzi, Bruna. “Humility - The Most Beautiful Word in the English Language.” Mind Tools. Essential Skills for an Excellent Career. 1995-2007. Mind Tools Ltd. 20 Apr. 2007 < http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_69.htm>. Mastrantonis, George. “The Sermon on the Mount”. 1996. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. 21 Apr. 2008. < http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7110.asp#top >. Say, Rosa. “Humility in the Workplace.” Lifehack.org. 21 Sept. 2006. Stepcase Ltd. 20 Apr. 2007. United States Census Bureau. “World POPClock Projection”. 16 July 1997. United States Census Bureau. 20 Apr. 2008. < http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/popclockworld.html>. United Nations. “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. 10 Dec. 1948. The United Nations. 19 Apr. 2008. < http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html>. Weeks, Holly. “The Art of Apology”. 2003. Portfolio.com. 19 Apr. 2008. . Wesley, John. “John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible”. 2007. Gospelcom.net. 21 Apr. 2008. < http://eword.gospelcom.net/comments/matthew/wesley/matthew5.htm >. Read More