“1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” (Matthew 5:1-17)
According to tradition, Jesus’ famous homily took place on the Mount of Beatitudes, along the northwestern banks of the Sea of Galilee. The Sermon on the Mount encapsulates the fundamentals of the Christian faith. It encourages us to: engage in as many kind deeds as we can and carry them out modestly; pray and fast without attracting attention to our piety; forgive; worship God humbly; acknowledge the importance of the afterlife; avoid being unnecessarily judgmental or critical; love others and be charitable; prioritize spiritual endeavors over fleeting, material pleasures; be responsible and undertake our life’s mission. The reward for these actions is inner wholeness and salvation. Only when we accept our imperfections and constantly strive to do better can we finally find the balance and peace we’ve been seeking our entire lives.
Certainty in the love and blessings of the Creator leads to peacefulness and the end of violence.
