BEATITUDES FOR FAMILIES
Blessed are the poor in spirit who value their relationships with their children and families as their most prized possession, who recognise their dependence on God and make God a special part of their family life
Blessed are the gentle, men and women, who recognise that gentleness is the essence of motherhood and that fatherhood is a test of a true gentleman
Blessed are they who mourn, who grieve, because they have known what it is to love and be loved in their closest relationships, who carry their burden of grief as an offering for others
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice who teach the truth about the rights and responsibilities of all family members, who uphold the cause of family unity, who defend the right to life from conception to death.
Blessed are the merciful who are able to forgive their parents, their children, their spouses and even those who have hurt them because they know and accept their own limitations and failings.
Blessed are the pure in heart who value their sexuality as God’s great gift to his creatures, who do not use or abuse those in their care, who live all their relationships with honesty and integrity,
Blessed are the peacemakers who through learning to manage the day-to-day conflicts of family life learn the true nature of peace, who strive to restore broken relationships within and between families across the World as a Family of Families.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the cause of right, those who suffer, but continue in difficult relationships, those who are ridiculed and rejected because they uphold the truth in their families and society .
…………………… for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

June 8.  Beatitudes. SEE.   While some lucky young people were able to go to World Youth Day, the rest of the youth group were also asked to reflect and share, ideally at home with their families.  The youth leader suggested, “The eight beatitudes are a really good place to start. You can choose your favourite one even before you start but listen carefully to the point each beatitude makes. We call them the Spirit of the Kingdom. Patrick and his mom decided to do just that. 

JUDGE. Reflect, share. Scripture:    Jesus went up on the mountain and his disciples came to him. He sat down and he opened his mouth and taught them saying, “Blessed are ……………..”  Matthew 5:1-12.   Pope Francis: Today we have to realise that a true ecological approach becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. LS 49   Pope Leo:  The spirituality I wish to commend is that of the “wise architect” who, driven by hope for the Kingdom of God, is committed to building the world for the common good (cf. 1 Cor 3:10)  MH 236

ACT AND PRAY:   Reflect and pray over the Beatitudes for Families.