Jesus’ Moral Teaching

Beatitudes - Image of Christ- Christ’s Spiritual Autobiography - Teaches us to imitate Christ

Read Matthew 5:1-11

Jesus’s Moral Teaching

We are constantly serving ourselves. We are fearful of what might happen to us whether good or bad. Our egos become priority and we move inwards rather than towards God.

The Beatitudes help reverse this inward action and bring us towards God.

Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What do you think this means?Those who are poor in spirit recognize they need God. They do not fill their lives with earthly things. Instead the poor spirit longs for God and is open to Him

Beatitudes

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Explain

Suffering is a part of human life. Accepting this fact allows us to grieve in this life but recognize that Christ overcomes all sadness. Those who mourn are able to learn from their suffering.

Beatitudes

Blessed are the gentle/meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Thoughts?Often times we resort to violence or aggression to get what we want. In realty the non-violent, according to Jesus are the ones who will inherit the earth. The earth is not something to be conquered by the powerful but gained by the gentle.

BeatitudesBlessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

?Jesus does not want us to become complacent. Rather when we hunger and thirst for what is good we find true happiness. It is a blessing to long for God and His Truth.

Beatitudes

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be show mercy.

Highlights the importance of forgiveness. Moreover it recognizes not only the need to show mercy but also one’s need of mercy from God.

Beatitudes

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

?Also translated “singleness of heart.” When we are loyal to God and our heart’s desire is not split we are able to witness God.

Beatitudes

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

One who has broken through the illusion of sin is capable of crating an environment conducive to peace.

Beatitudes

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The suffering one endures for the good out of love is what allows us to reach heaven.

Laws of Love

The Great Commandments• You shall love the Lord your God with all your

heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

• You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Round Robin

Name as many corporal or spiritual works of mercy that you can.

Corporal Works of Mercy

• Feed the hungry.• Give drink to the thirsty.• Clothe the naked.• Visit the imprisoned.• Shelter the homeless.• Visit the sick.• Bury the dead.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

• Admonish the sinner.• Instruct the ignorant.• Counsel the doubtful.• Comfort the sorrowful.• Bear wrongs patiently.• Forgive all injuries.• Pray for the living and the dead.

Round Robin Writing

Come up with 3 practical ways to follow the Corporal Works of Mercy.