| Description |
xxi, 145 pages ; 22 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Contents |
The Beatitudes: Matthew 5:2-12 -- The needy -- 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven -- 2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted -- 3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth -- 4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied -- The faithful -- 5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy -- 6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God -- 7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God -- 8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven -- The final word -- 9. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. |
| Summary |
In this book the Beatitudes, as found in the Gospel of Matthew, are presented as the self-interpretation of Jesus. Each Beatitude finds its primary definition in Jesus himself. For example, he himself defines what it means to be ""poor in spirit."" Jesus is also presented as the promise and the blessing to those whom he addresses in each case. The Beatitudes are divided into two sets of four, with the ninth serving as the overall conclusion. The first four Beatitudes pertain to The Needy, while the second four pertain to The Faithful. The final Beatitude pertains to religious persecution. The discussion of each Beatitude ends with a practical application. The topics considered with respect to The Needy are Christian responsibility to the poor, the ministry of listening, the spirituality of meekness, and the proper care of the earth. With respect to The Faithful, the topics include what mercy looks like in action, purity of heart as sacramentally based, restorative justice as a contemporary example of peacemaking, and dramatic instances of nonretaliation on the part of the righteous being persecuted. The book concludes with a meditation on persecution: the persecution and martyrdom of Christians as well as some persecutions undertaken by Christians (especially of the Jews). The hope of universal salvation is raised at the end by attending to Catholic, Evangelical, and Eastern Orthodox voices. |
| Subject |
Beatitudes.
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Beatitudes. (OCoLC)fst01356152
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Beatitudes.
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| Other Form: |
Online version: Hunsinger, George. Beatitudes. New York : Paulist Press, 2014 9781587683947 (DLC) 2014017155 |
| ISBN |
9780809106141 (hardcover ; alk. paper) |
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0809106140 (hardcover ; alk. paper) |
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9780809148875 (paperback ; alk. paper) |
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0809148870 (paperback ; alk. paper) |
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9781587683947 (e-book) |
| Standard No. |
40025784105 |
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