Give an account of the religious and moral teaching of the Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes give an account of the perfect standard for a Christian disciple. The name is derived from the Latin `beatitudo' meaning 'blessedness.' This is a code for real happiness. The first Beatitude is, “blessed are the poor in spirit.” The Greek word used here for poor is `ptochos' which means absolute and abject poverty. Such a person realises his utter helplessness and has put his whole trust in God. St Lois wrote on this Beatitude, “blessed, therefore, is poverty which is not possessed with a love of temporal things, and does not seek to be increased with the riches of the world, but is eager to amass heavenly possessions.”

After that is, “blessed are those who mourn.” The Greek word used here for mourning is the strongest one in the Greek language and refers to the mourning relevant when someone dies. Here the author is not thinking of it in that context but referring to those who mourn for the sin and suffering in the world. Christianity is about caring so it refers to the man who cares intensely for the suffering he sees. Out of that suffering such a man will be strengthened and find the joy of God.

Then we have, “blessed are the meek.” The original Greek word means `reverent obedience'. This speaking about the person who has the humility to know his own weakness and his own needs; a person who is not resentful and bears no grudges. Such a man is `King among men'. The Beatitudes also refer to one who, “hungers after righteousness.” This is the person who has a moral hunger to see good done and standards of morality defended.

The Beatitudes, unlike the Levitical law, are not a list of emphatic ‘do’ and ‘do not’ statements – they teach that we must have mercy on sinners in able to be truly moral. It involves a deep compassion for others; a feeling which comes from the fact that everyone needs to be forgiven. Such people acting this way will find that others respond to them in the same way.

Furthermore, the Beatitude, “blessed are the pure in heart,” demands self-examination of motives. To be pure in heart is more than just having a clean mind. `Heart' is referring to personality and character. It is the pure in heart who will see God, they will see Gods goodness at work rather than despair. Even if the culture changes the basic principles behind the Beatitudes do not change. It is a moral code that focusses as much on inward moral disposition as it does our external actions: Jenkins wrote, “inner attention and attitude is crucial.” Even if a typically good action is performed with sinful thought then it becomes immoral. The most important thing to realise about the Sermon on the Mount is that it is impossible for anyone to keep it completely, as it demands perfection. Although they will never be free from sin in this life, Christians use the sermon in order to try and become more like Jesus, who was perfect. The Beatitudes are all about Christian sanctification.

There is divided scholarly opinion on, “blessed are the peacemakers.” Some interpret this as advocating pacifism, but others assert it is not necessarily talking about physical violence. This is not advocating the avoidance of issues for the sake of peace or the avoidance of conflict at any cost. It is those who actively seek peace and deals with issues before they develop. This means involvement. Such people are doing God's work. Such work can lead to persecution, which is addressed in the next Beatitude: “Blessed are those who are persecuted.” Jesus did not leave people in doubt about the commitment of the Christian life and the attitudes that opponents might take. Christianity should be demanding in every aspect of life. Such persecution is not a disgrace but an honour.

Finally, the Christian is told to be rejoice and be glad. Jesus, in the Beatitudes, set out certain principles and values for his disciples to follow. These characteristics should make Christians different from the rest of the world, and so make a difference to the world in which they live. To quote Stephen Rummelsberg, “The Beatitudes are the centrepiece of the Sermon on the Mount and throughout the life of the Church they have been central to moral theology.”