beatitude

The word beatitude is synonymous with the word “blessed.” In the Beatitudes in the Gospel According to Luke 6:20–26 (NABRE), we encounter Jesus describing the conditions that need to be met in order for a person to be blessed. The idea of being blessed is common to Christianity, so much so that we refer to those one step away from sainthood as blessed. In this sense, blessed seems to mean holy or favored by God, though the original Greek concept has a slightly different meaning.

The Greek word used in the Beatitudes is the word μακάριος (makarios), which means “blessed,” “happy,” or “prosperous. “Originally this word did not have religious connotation and rather was used to refer to any fortunate person as measured by material security and prosperity.

We can see by the Christian view of blessing that this concept has undergone a significant degree of transformation. Those whom Christianity regards as blessed are not the most wealthy and prosperous but rather those who are holy and seem favored by God. This shift shows us a significant change in value by Christians.

What do you view as a sign of prosperity and blessing? What would make you happy?

related topics: blessed; blessing; favor with God

you also may like our study of Saul, David & Solomon (digital only)
The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King, a 28-lesson Catholic Bible study with an imprimatur, provides an in-depth look at the First and Second Books of Samuel to learn how the lives of the monarchs Saul, David, and Solomon point ahead to the kingdom of heaven. The unified reign of King David is seen as a foreshadowing or type of the unity that is one of the four marks of the Church—the kingdom of God—established by Jesus Christ. Click here to view a sample of the first lesson.

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