The Beatitudes are a refreshing way to approach the way we live out our lives. Beatitude comes from the word in Latin “benedicere” which means to bless or to say something good. In Greek the word for beatitude comes from the word makarios which refers to the happiness one who is treated favourably experiences. If you read through the Psalms and the book of Proverbs, you will come across almost fifty different “beatitudes.” They all come in the form of, “blessed is the one who…” – like in Psalm 1 where it says, “Blessed indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked, nor goes in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of scorners. He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters.” The Old Testament beatitudes talk about how much happier human life is for those who obey the commandments of God. The New Testament Beatitudes talk about how much happier eternal life is than this one. You see, Jesus knows that we want to be happy, and He wants us to be supremely happy. The trick is, we have to adjust our perspective from living just to be happy in this world, to living for the next.
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Today we celebrate the great sacrament of our faith. The Eucharist is unique as far as sacraments go, because it is the only one whereby God, our Lord Jesus Christ, becomes present in an abiding way. All the other sacraments happen in a moment, when the power of the Holy Spirit transforms our minds and hearts in a definitive way. When we are washed by the waters of Baptism, the Holy Spirit is present in the waters during the precise moment we are being washed – but we do not say that the water in the baptismal font has become the Holy Spirit. When we go to confession, the Holy Spirit transforms the sin we confess and expose to his mercy into grace for our conversion and healing – but our ability to sin remains. When we are anointed with oil, sealed with the Holy Spirit, at a confirmation, ordination, or anointing of the sick, the power of the Holy Spirit is present and active through the oil at the moment the words of the minister are spoken. After the sacrament has been given, however, the oil is not the Holy Spirit. The sacrament of Marriage enables spouses to give themselves fully to one another in a way that mirrors the exchange of the Divine Persons in the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the Son’s total gift of self to the Father, and the Father’s complete outpouring of Himself into the Son. The Holy Spirit empowers and seals the total gift of self between spouses at their wedding, but He does not replace their human bond.
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Events that affect a large number of people are impressive. The pictures of celebrations from the end of World War II are iconic. The number of lives affected by WWII – those lost and those saved – is incredibly significant. An overwhelming feeling of elation and liberation undoubtedly filled the hearts of entire nations and continents. It’s hard to imagine such extreme moments of unity and joy, but our gratitude for those who served and fought for us continues despite the passing of time.