F OR MED BY THE CIT Y
WHAT DOES
FAITHFULNESS
LOOK LIKE?
LIVING THE BEATITUDES IN EVERYDAY LIFE IS A DISCIPLE’S
“IDENTITY CARD” OF CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT.
Dr. Patricia Cooney Hathaway
D
uring a recent visit to
Sweden, Pope Francis
claimed that the “identity
card” of Christians is found in
the Beatitudes. He said they
describe Jesus’ spirituality
and the attitude Jesus expects
to find in a disciple who is
doing ministry in his name.
10
The Beatitudes come alive when we
see them lived out. What follows are
examples of women and men who lived
out a particular Beatitude, and in so do-
ing, changed the Church and world for
the better.
As I describe each of them, think
about which one resonates with you.
These reflections are based on the Gos-
pel of Matthew’s description of the Beat-
itudes, which place Jesus on a mountain,
where he describes the eight qualities of
a disciple.
Sacred Heart Major Seminary | Mosaic | Fall 2017
FR. SOLANUS CASEY
Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
What does it mean to be
“poor in spirit?” In his
book on the Beatitudes,
Robert Ellsberg suggests
that poor in spirit refers
to a spirit of emptiness
and availability for what-
ever gifts or mission God may send us.
To be spiritually poor is to stand apart