真福八端是聖經之中大家最熟悉的經文之一,但這八端所形容的福份,跟一般人所理解的實在有太大分別。耶穌在真福八端說的是我們被十字架改造後,變得神貧、溫良等等,而因此受祝福。這些改變是天主的工作,不是我們憑自己的力量能達到的。
神貧的人是指那些完全依賴天主的人,他們不追求財富、權力或其他所有令自己以為能操控一切的世物。他們因著能完全依賴天主而喜樂。
哀慟的人是指那些因看見很多人活在罪惡當中、不認識天主,或因他人受到不公義的欺壓而哀慟的人。這些人因著內心的悲慟而樂於為他人代禱。
溫良的人是指那些因著天主的恩寵而能控制自己的憤怒和其他情緒的人,但他們仍然有勇氣在面對不公義時挺身而出。
飢渴慕義的人指那些追求公義和屬於天國的價值觀,如貞潔、寬恕、仁慈等。他們渴求聽到天主的聖言。
憐憫人的人是那些接受了天主的仁慈之後,而跟他人分享的人。他們仍然會糾正錯誤的行為,但不會心存報復。
心裏潔淨的人是指那些一心一意,心裡不因相反的慾望而掙扎的人。
締造和平的人是指不單愛和平的人,而是身體力行追求真理的實踐,把他人帶到耶穌那裡去的人。
為義而受迫害的人是有福的,因為只有假先知才得到所有人的喜愛。世界憎恨他們,因為他們不屬於世界。天國是他們的。
The Beatitudes is one of the most well-known passages from the Bible, but due to its paradoxical nature, they remain difficult to understand. What Jesus described in the Beatitudes is the result of us being transformed by the cross, becoming meek and poor in spirit and so forth, and thereby being blessed. Such transformation is the work of God, it is not something we can achieve by our own effort.
The poor in spirit are those who delight in the dependence of God. They do not seek wealth, authority, or other resources which create the illusion that they are in control. They delight in the experience of dependence on God.
Those who mourn are those who see others locked in sin and do not know God, and they mourn. These people are those who intercede for others and pray for the world.
The meek are those who, by God's grace have authority over their anger and other passions. But they also have the necessary courage to stand up for what is right and express righteous indignation at injustice.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are those who seek righteousness and the values of God's Kingdom, such as chastity, forgiveness, and mercy. They hunger for God's word.
The merciful are those, who by God's grace, have experienced God's mercy and are equipped to share that mercy with others. They correct the sinner, they do not need to avenge themselves.
The pure of heart are those who are single-hearted, whose heart are free of contrary drives and wishes.
The peacemakers are those who do not just love peace but actually work for it. They strive for righteousness and bring souls to Christ.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake because only false prophets are loved by all. They are hated by the world because they do not belong to the world. The Kingdom of God is theirs.