Blueprints for Life

~~~ 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 ~~~ Psalm 34 ~~~ Matthew 5:1-12 ~~~

He began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are...

No matter how old you are or how many times 

you have heard the Sermon on the Mount;

the Beatitudes are challenging.

How can we be Blessed if we do not manage

 to follow these ten moral guidelines?

How is it possible to be poor in spirit and meek?

How can we consistently treat others with mercy?

 How can we remain clean of heart in our world today?

How can we be peacemakers when violence permeates our world?

How can we tolerate insults and persecutions? 

Paul's letter to the Corinthians gives us reason to be joyful.

Our hope for you is firm,

for we know that as you share in the sufferings,

you also share in the encouragement.

It is our connection with Jesus that 

makes all things possible.

What is impossible is to think that without God's 

help we could realize the Beatitudes in our daily life.

Along with the Commandments the Beatitudes
are like the blueprints for our Christian life.

The process of creating a blueprint document is quite fascinating.
In 1861 a chemist found that ferro-gallate in gum is light sensitive.
Light turns this to an insoluble permanent blue.
In bright sunlight it only takes a couple minutes
for the image to stabilize.

Today the process has improved and is faster.
Even from the beginning this process of
blueprinting was permanent.

A blueprint is stable it cannot be altered.

God began his blueprint process
 by giving Moses the Commandments.

Jesus adds the details in his Sermon on the Mount.

It is all made permanent through the light of Jesus.
Jesus laid down his life for us
and in so doing he left a blueprint of love in our heart.

You can realize the Beatitudes in your life today.
You have been Blessed with the 'Blueprints'.
Unroll these blueprints and follow their guidelines.

Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.

~~~Peace~~~