earned her the title Doctor of the Church .
Therese dreamed of dramatic vocations , of making great sacrifices for God , yet she realized that God wanted her to serve him right where she was . Therese states , “ I feel within me other vocations — warrior , priest , apostle , martyr — yet I realized that I was called to ‘ be ’ love right where I am , in Carmel , among the hurt and rigid people so much in need of the core of Jesus message : love .”
Few of us are called to do great things for God as a church leader , a martyr , great reformer , teacher , or preacher . Therese ’ s little way is a reminder to all of us that each moment , accepted and lived in a spirit of love , in deep trust and self-surrender , is the living out of this Beatitude .
Are you called to “ be love ” right where you are , in your parish , home , or work place ?
POPE FRANCIS Blessed Are the Merciful
Surely none of us are surprised that the person I have chosen to represent this Beatitude is Pope Francis . Mercy is the defining quality of his pontificate . Millions of people have experienced his tone and manner , his style of persuasion and accompaniment , his mercy rather than his judgment , as a breath of fresh air .
In an article in America magazine , “ Open to All ,” Sr . Katarina Schuth asks the question , “ Why has Pope Francis so captured the imagination of believers and nonbelievers alike ?”
The answers of responders are telling . One woman states , “ Pope Francis emphasizes God ’ s mercy and does not scold or reprimand ; he does not just talk , but acts like Jesus especially by showing his love for the poor . His life is simple — no trappings of office , no special privileges .”
Another person comments , “ He excludes no one and shows no favoritism ; he exudes warmth , mercy , and happiness as he engages with so many people .” One says , “ Pope Francis daily reminds us , ‘ Being Church means being God ’ s people . This means that we are to be God ’ s leaven in the midst of humanity . The Church must be a place of mercy freely given , where everyone can feel welcomed , loved , forgiven , and encouraged to live the good life of the gospel .”
Are you one of those ministers whose charism is to extend mercy ? Do you have a special sensitivity to alleviate the suffering of the poor , the outcast , and the marginalized in your parish , neighborhood , and family ?
NELSON MANDELA Blessed Are the Pure of Heart
According to the philosopher Soren Kierkegaard , “ To be pure of heart is to will one thing .” The pure-hearted are notable for their concentration . Nelson Mandela willed one thing : equality for the black community of Africa . The consequence for his single-minded commitment was twenty-seven years in prison for his effort to overthrow a government committed to apartheid .
Over time and through significant life experiences , Mandela became involved in the African National Congress , which altered his perspective and fostered his commitment to dedicate his life to free his people from racial , economic , and political inequality . In his book , The Long Road to Freedom , he states , “ No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin , or his background , or his religion . People must learn to hate , and if they can learn to hate , they can to taught to love , for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite .”
In 1990 Mandela was released from prison and joined negotiations with President de Klerk to abolish apartheid and establish multiracial elections . In 1994 , Mandela became South Africa ’ s first black president .
“ What counts in life ,” he stated , “ is not the mere fact that we have lived . It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead .”
Has God called you to implement a dedication to a particular cause that will leave the Church and world a better place ?
THOMAS MERTON Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
I chose Thomas Merton as an example of this Beatitude because he is considered one of the most influential spiritual writers of the twentieth century . Besides being a Trappist monk , he was also a prophet who prodded men and women through his writings to move beyond a privatized spirituality to one that engaged the world through the social teachings of the gospel .
We pick up with Merton in April 1948 . He is taking his first trip out of the monastery in seven years for a doctor ’ s appointment . He wondered how he would react at meeting once again , face to face , the wicked world . In Louisville , he had a religious experience that changed his life : At the corner of Fourth and Walnut , in the center of the shopping district , I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people , that they were mine and I theirs , that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers . . . . I met the world and I found it no longer so wicked after all . Perhaps all the things I had resented about the world when I left it were defects of my own that I had projected upon it . Now , on the contrary , I found that everything stirred me with a deep sense of compassion .
From a spirituality of withdrawal , Merton now turned to a spirituality of engagement with the world and encouraged others to do the same . He recognized the intimate connection between social awareness and contemplation . “ Prayer ,” he stated , “ does not blind us to the world but it transforms our vision of the world , and makes us see it , all men , and all the history of mankind , in the light of God .”
12 Sacred Heart Major Seminary | Mosaic | Fall 2017