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No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop
In our daily lives, all of us encounter others in different and unique ways. As we reflect on these encounters and how they enable us to BE the church, we must always remember that we are all made in the image of God and have an inherent and immeasurable worth and dignity. We are called to love and respect God’s creation – including all those around us. In today’s society, there are many reasons why people can easily get caught within their own bubble and be removed from those around them. The impact of the pandemic, our reliance on technology, a growing culture of individualism and instant gratification are just a few reasons. However, we are called to be God’s hands and feet, and this requires encountering others and sharing God’s transcending and transforming love.
Our common humanity requires that we respect and uphold the dignity of each and every human being. In Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus presents the Beatitudes which are at the very heart of his teachings and encourages people to uphold every person’s innate human dignity. The Beatitudes also reveal the aroha of Jesus Christ while providing a blueprint, a guide, as well as the actions and qualities needed so that people can encounter and respond to Christ’s call to seek the Kingdom or Reign of God – Te Rangatiratanga.
Living by the Beatitudes is a lifetime task because they remind people to challenge the ‘norm’ of what the world expects. Many in the world place emphasis on being rich and wealthy; to seek happiness at all costs; power over others; to focus on ourselves; to be ruthless and unforgiving in our actions to ensure success; to aim for ‘the top’ regardless of those who get in our way; to celebrate those who win through conflict; and to view those who are persecuted as unworthy. However, this is not what Jesus tells people to do. He tells them to put the poor first, find happiness in the sad times, praise those who are meek, fight for the justice of others, celebrate the merciful, be people of peace, and to show those who are persecuted that they were right.
Beatitudes poster #2.pdfIdentify which Beatitudes connect to the actions of the Samaritan.
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