Even today. They describe certain contemporary attitudes better than many sociological studies do. This is why Jesus opens our eyes to reality. We are called to happiness, to be blessed, and we become so as of now, to the measure in which we place ourselves on the side of God, of his Kingdom, on the side of what is not ephemeral but rather endures for eternal life. We are happy if we acknowledge we are needy before God — and this is very important: “Lord, I need you” — and if, like him and with him, we are close to the poor, the suffering and the hungry. We too are like this before God: we are poor, suffering, we are hungry before God. Although we possess worldly goods, we experience joy when we do not idolize or sell our souls out to them, but are able to share them with our brothers and sisters. Today the liturgy invites us once again to question ourselves about this and to be truthful in our heart. Jesus’ Beatitudes are a decisive message which urges us not to place our trust in material and fleeting things, not to seek happiness by following smoke vendors — who are often vendors of death — experts in illusion. We should not follow them because they are unable to give us hope. May the Lord help us open our eyes to acquire a more penetrating view of reality, to heal the chronic shortsightedness with which the worldly spirit infects us. With his paradoxical Word he stirs us and enables us to recognize what truly enriches us, satisfies us, gives us joy and dignity; in other words, what truly gives meaning and fullness to our lives. May the Virgin Mary help us listen to this Gospel passage with open hearts and minds so that it may bear fruit in our life and that we may become witnesses of the happiness that does not disappoint, that of God who never disappoints. G A Excerpt from the Angelus Address given by His Holiness Pope Francis on February 17, 2019 www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2019/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20190217.html Picture: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/pope-francis-unique Coat of Arms: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en.html Picture: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/christian-love-thyself When was the last time you were compassionate? When was the last time you went out of your way to help somebody, expecting nothing in return? When you have placed in your path a chance to live the Be-Attitudes, do it out of love of God and with an attitude of gratitude, trusting in His mercy and believing in the words of St. Matthew, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Except from “The ‘How to Be’ Attitudes” by Dr. Brian Thatcher: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/how-be-attitudes
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