Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 10th Week in Ordinary Time – Monday – Matthew 5:1-12

As a Person of the Trinity, Christ called Moses to ascend a mountain to receive the 10 Commandments (Exod 20).  In Matthew 5-7, Christ, having descended from Heaven in the Incarnation, ascends a mountain in Galilee to deliver the Sermon on the Mount, a summary of the New Covenant, the perfection of the Old Covenant.

Taking the sitting position of a rabbi, Christ calls His disciples and begins to teach. He begins with eight Beatitudes (“happinesses”) which describe how men can grow in happiness in this life and receive perfect happiness as adopted “sons of God”  in the perfect union of the Beatific Vision of God in the life to come in the Kingdom of Heaven. Those allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven are comforted, receive the satisfaction of justice and are granted the mercy of forgiveness.

To receive these great joys, Christ describes the mindset and actions of the blessed. Men must be “poor in spirit”, relying completely for Almighty God’s mercy. Men must “mourn” the scourge of sin and also suffer trials in life. Men must be “meek”, enduring injustice with humble patience and offering gentleness and kindness to others. Men must “hunger and thirst for righteousness”, making the pursuit of personal holiness their unrelenting goal. Men must be “merciful”, forgiving and sacrificing to serve others.  Men must be “clean of heart”, resisting lustful and other evil thoughts. Men must be “peacemakers”, living peacefully and spreading the peace of Christ.  Men must  accept being “persecuted for the sake of righteousness”, fearlessly imitating Christ’s own persecution for the Gospel.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God and Divine Teacher, Christ becomes man in the fullness of time to personally deliver the New Covenant.  Divine King, Christ reveals the Kingdom of Heaven and prepares men for the Spiritual Combat. Divine Prophet, Christ gives man the definitive keys to happiness in this life and the next in His Beatitudes.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) In the Beatitudes, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, authoritatively announces the Kingdom of Heaven.  Eternal with the Father from the beginning, reflect on the awesome fact that Jesus speaks from personal knowledge in His description of Heaven.

2) The Beatitudes are Christ’s gift to men which provide the key to human happiness. Review the Catechism’s teaching on men’s Vocation to Beatitude (CCC 1716-1729) and pray for Christ to help you to mediate upon, memorize and to live out the Beatitudes in your daily life.

3) The Beatitudes should cause holy fear for Christ confirms that His men will be persecuted. Renew your commitment to Bear Witness to the Truth  (CCC 675-677, 1816, 2471-2474) and pray for Christ to help you persevere in the face of the unavoidable persecutions that come to those who love Him.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Joyful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Souls in Purgatory

Virtue of the Day – Prudence

Corporal Work of Mercy – To give drink to the thirsty

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To instruct the ignorant