Beatitudes

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. We might remind ourselves that there are two sides to the Gospel ethic. On the one hand, there are many obstacles that we have to remove, temptations we must overcome. On the other hand, despite having constantly to war against our native impulses, the evil spirit and the machinations […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. If there is one theme that permeates the Gospels, it is the practice and praise of poverty. When the Word became flesh and the infinite God entered our world as Man, He was born in a stable. His Mother wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, literally “rags,” and laid Him […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Who are meek people? Meek people are those people who control their anger. We all have a temper. I tell people you’ve got a temper, when necessary use it but never loose it. Keep it in control. Meekness is therefore the virtue which controls irascibility. There are so many […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. It is indispensable to restrain our anger and to practice meekness. So too it is humility of heart that will make us gentle in our dealings with others. Only God can see the human heart. We can only see the exterior of other people. And they can only see […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. To imitate Christ is to live the Beatitudes. What if we do, poverty, meekness, mourning, hunger, thirst, mercy, purity, peace and persecution are ours. We are to enjoy God’s presence even now in the measure that our wills are conformed to His will. Praise be Jesus Christ, eternally blessed […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Our present meditation is on the beatitudes: the New Testament Decalogue. In the history of Christian spirituality the eight beatitudes have been regularly associated with the Ten Commandments. Saints and scholars have analyzed the Decalogue in contrast with the beatitudes. By now there are many learned and useful writings […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. Talk about a paradox: Blessed or happy are those who are not happy. “Now Lord, we know you can speak mysteriously but what does this mean?” Is Christ telling us there is blessedness and happiness if we mourn? YES. In other words, is it sinful to mourn? No, provided […]

By Father John A. Hardon, S.J. In the spirit of the Gospel we have just read from St. Matthew and in the context of so much that our Savior has been teaching us we should reflect on the virtue of gentleness. As Isaiah foretold of the Savior, He will not break the bruised reed He […]