The Assignment On The Beatitudes
Summary of the Article
The author shares his definition of the word Beatitude which comes from 2 words: “beati” which translates as blessed and “ashre” which translates as woe. He then goes on to say that the Beatitudes use performative language. These are declarative statements that accomplish what they state. When Jesus states, “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. He is linking the present and the future, that is, if we live a life that Is Poor in Spirit, then we would be part of God’s kingdom, which is something real and active. As the author explains the traditional meaning of this keyword beatitude, he also challenges the reality of its meaning in today’s context in the world. He claims that we have strayed away from its original intended meaning. We overuse the words to “bless” or “be blessed.” He provides this example. He questions how one can be both poor and happy at the same time. The author feels that being happy misses the mark for performative language. Another word which he addresses is “woe.” As a noun, he elaborates stating that the word woe reflects severe hardship and suffering in the midst of calamities and catastrophes. The word woe is more than just a mild distress, but a state of severe intensity, He chooses this stronger word to capture the seriousness and depth of the situation. According to the author, the beatitudes may bestow a blessing or curse to the one, depending on the choice that one makes to accept or reject the promises of Jesus. In the beatitudes, he is calling his disciples to choose their path, one that leads to God’s kingdom or the other one which leads to despair or darkness.
My Critique of the Author’s Message
When the author compares the term blessed to congratulations, he is acknowledging the action that brings us closer to the Kingdom of God. He is saying that those who do the will of God according to the Beatitudes are blessed beyond measure. For example, he who is declared poor by God’s standards will inherit the kingdom and begin to experience the spiritual life in their lives. On the other hand, the author compares the term “woe” to “damn.” He is relating to those actions or choices that bring us further away from the kingdom of God. He confirms that those who do not do the will of God are condemned/damned or convicted. I agree with the author’s description of the Beatitudes as being one of performance types and styles of language. These scripture passages are more than just factual statements. The Beatitudes are not just a state of being but goes beyond to promote Christian traits that are based on ACTION. Many of Jesus’ teachings are rooted in human behavior: words, deeds, actions, healings, a touch of the hand and so on. I agree that Jesus shares the spiritual and ethical standards that one needs to develop and activate in one’s life in order to experience the kingdom of God in the present moment today which eventually leads to eternal happiness in heaven. I will go further into this as I apply the Beatitudes to American Society and their implications.
However, I find that the author does use strong language that could be frightening, disturbing or unacceptable in some situations. These are his list of curses and woes which are directed to the rich, the well-fed, those who laugh and so on. He even confirms this himself by stating that this language is avoided in the liturgies of the church. I see the word “damn” as more of deformities or closed as opposed to performative and open. The author does not provide examples where those who are wealthy or content can still use their status to help others and share their good blessings with others to change and be transformed into the path of truth in God’s kingdom. Furthermore, I agree with the author’s opinion that the blessed life is not just a private personal one, but a communal action that goes beyond ourselves into a call for social change and action towards injustice.
The Beatitudes have implications in American Society which are entrenched in the “United States Declaration of Independence” In Areas of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These are three key examples of the “unalienable rights” which the Declaration says have been given to all human beings by their creator, and which governments are created to protect. This constitution is symbolic of American democracy and is the foundation of the country’s values based on these rights and laws of a person. The Beatitudes reveal the secrets of God’s kingdom. Jesus gives us a glimpse of what it is like to experience God’s kingdom. He points us in the direction which leads to eternal happiness, which connects what we do here in our earthly life with the afterlife to come. The virtues which are encouraged in the beatitudes allow us to be participants in Jesus’ grace which is operating and alive in our conscience of what is good or evil. However, God gives us the freedom to choose good or evil. In the heart of the beatitudes, we discover God’s desire for us to live in His kingdom and how he encourages us to seek and desire those things that are from God, not from the world.
The essence of discipleship and the authentic Christian life are fulfilled in His promises to us. The ultimate goal of the human activity is to lead us to eternal happiness with God. Only God can satisfy man’s innate desire for happiness. Jesus challenges us with making decisive moral choices concerning our life, our earthly possessions and the way we treat others. Ultimately, by doing this, we are putting God first above all things. In this way, we will be truly blessed now and in the afterlife.
