The Beatitudes: Paradoxical Promises of the New Covenant

The Beatitudes, when read honestly and squarely, are very bizarre proclamations by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke.
These sayings by Jesus are not just niceties or good wishes that we can simply gloss over; they are paradoxical promises about how suffering operates in the New Covenant Kingdom, and they are very difficult to comprehend and, quite frankly, to live out.
If they don't shock you, then you may want to take another look at them.
For, these sayings don't operate the way we would think.
Jesus calls those who are mourning, impoverished, and weeping as "Happy" (Makarios). This seems so counterintuitive.
In Deuteronomy, Moses promised physical and material blessings to those who kept the law and were faithful to God's covenant. Jesus seems to reverse this declaration.
Check out this video above, which comes from Dr. Pitre's series, The Mass Readings Explained, where he covers these topics.
You can also check out Dr. Pitre's Bible study on the Gospel of Matthew where he covers the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew:
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[@joshrichards9121]

So true. My friend asked me last night how I was doing. I explained that I am in the best shape of my life, my baby girl will be born next month, and my family is healthy, but I have let myself go spiritually. I have given in to old sins and have fallen off the wagon. It’s no wonder peace and true happiness have been leaving me. My friend asked if there was anything he could do for me. I replied with “Prayers.” Life has no meaning without God. Thank you Lord for reminding me of my purpose.

[@pepearias6844]

May the LORD keep blessing you and your family Dr Pitre for feeding us such real food for our journey to Saint hood! HE said “My sheep will hear my voice” well I can hear it loud and clear- thank you! Beautiful explanation 🙏!

[@CatholicProductions]

Thanks Pepe

[@teddyyoung32]

Dear Dr Pitre, Thank you for working so hard to help us in Lecto Divina and bless the mother that bore you.💗

[@sheilavedanayagam]

Amazing explanation. I’m literally watching this after a conversation I had with my friend about our Catholic faith yesterday. I explained to her how I felt sad as a teenager when I learnt that it was easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God thinking at the time that I couldn’t live without my home comforts and nice meals. My friend thought I was taking things out of context. Many years ago, my school friend’s sister (a straight A student) also explained that I misunderstood the message. Looks like I didn’t misunderstand at all.

[@pachecoromero1226]

Very well explained! God bless you, Dr. Pitre. May your tribe increase!

[@paularamos1189]

So beautifully said, my heart is rejoicing. ♥️♥️♥️🙏🏼

[@Alexander-fr1kk]

It’s important to know why you’re doing what you’re doing otherwise you shouldn’t be doing it... to be that equals accountability,. That is why I really enjoy these lectures.

[@Artty-fl8ul]

That was brutal! But I needed to hear it. Thank you.

[@radupietro8760]

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. Lk 10:21

[@lvlc5]

When one goes through pain and finds peace on the Lord, we get it...

[@eileen1820]

This channel is absolutely fantastic. Thank you!

[@hectoribanez5954]

Wondeful teaching !! Love Catholic TRUTH !!

[@CatholicProductions]

Thanks for commenting Hector.

[@BoksCar29]

This a most interesting teaching that makes a whole lot of sense, as all Catholic teaching does. I am a revert back to the Church after forty years involved with the , so-called, prosperity gospel. This teaching here is in direct contradiction to the prosperity gospel which has a core teaching of gaining as much earthly wealth as a means of determining Gods blessing. This teaching by far makes so much sense.

[@fr.rongarry5822]

At 10 minutes is the critical interpretation: be detached from earthly enjoyments, unto the cross of Christ

[@teejah7785]

Dr Pitre, amazing servant of God.

[@denisebraganza]

Thank you Dr Pitre. God bless you for such deep insights on the Old and New Testaments.

[@cassieb7215]

Very enlightening. Thank you for this hard and timely lesson 🙏

[@jspanyer]

Outstanding, I've heard many explanations of the beatitudes and they seem lacking. I've tried to come up with my own explanation but never could do them Justice. Thank you now I understand

[@danamalar]

Amazing , Dr.Pitre, I happen to hear many homilists struggle when explaining about the attitude on money, they ultimately end up saying "money is good but you should know how to handle it", because many are afraid of poverty. I have contested this claim of having a desire for having more money in the ruse of handling the money in a proper way. Anything in excess is not good , even if one wants to do good things in future with the excess wealth. It is like saying , in America, " one can have guns , it is good for self defence but he should be careful about how not to use it to avoid killing somebody out of rage or enmity. Instead, one can altogether avoid carrying a gun all the time , which is an easier way to avoid killing someone using the gun. Dr. Pitre , may God bless you more and more to proclaim the gospel as it is and as it is intended by God.

[@armancardines4144]

May God of heaven bless you Dr Pitre

[@nadinelucas7788]

Thanks, Dr. Pitre for this clear explanation. I never thought that the blessings are rooted in curses. I like the way you analogized the cross as a curse. I looked at The Beatitudes as to rejoice because when we are poor, hungry, persecuted, etc. our rewards in heaven. Great explanation - God Bless you.

[@zakomomomo4407]

Thanks for the explanation, God bless you!

[@arkofthecovenant6235]

Awesome biblical insight! Thank u Dr. Pitre. And this is why it’s waaaay more difficult to be catholic then a protestant not all but many believe in the “ prosperity gospel”.💵💵✝️💵💵= 🏘🏡 🏘

[@allthatmattersisyoureterni4888]

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my way

[@paulmiller3469]

Thanks, Dr. Pitre. I wish the video also addressed the Matthew version, but I can guess Luke made for a clearer comparison (or contrast) with Deuteronomy 28.

[@shaunaugustine8761]

Thank you

[@glthango1727]

Beautiful explanation. May the Holy Spirit inspire you more and more.

[@arechj]

Pretty amazing. Thx.

[@CatholicProductions]

We appreciate the feedback.

[@radupietro8760]

Praise be Jesus and Mary Now and Forever🙏

[@RejiThomas1]

Very nicely expliained

[@markl2322]

I think it is very instructive to think of suffering more as a time when we are most aware of our need for God, rather than as a time when we should be most angry and ready to reject Him. Although that is easy to do. I know I have done so when my life has fallen apart. My appeal to God usually takes the form of "why ME, Lord?", rather than, "I need your help, Father".

[@marieboustany6846]

Indeed true 👍 . It is sad 😥 that not too many people are able to reason that way !

[@dalelerette206]

Mother Angelica was correct. When you are 'Poor in Spirit' it is when you admit you need the Spirit of God in your life -- all the lively virtues: chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility. ❤

[@MelissaJMJ]

Thank you.

[@CatholicProductions]

Thanks for checking out the channel Faith.

[@TempleofChristMinistries]

We can infer, in the word blessings, it can be referring to the things of the world and or, the things have the heart, but the word happiness, lends itself to be speaking of a spiritual state of the heart, because when one is happy it is of a spiritual nature, it is the state of the heart, so what we find is, there is a happiness of the heart in these spiritual positions, which are expressed in the Beatitudes. As opposed to a suffering of the heart.

[@radostinvasilev599]

Good.

[@legendbennet]

Good n great

[@vevozokhamo-official1230]

Agreed. It’s so true that the modern preachers fail to preach...

[@fernjennfami]

so anti secular. SO TRUE

[@MrCheesywaffles]

It's a brilliant explanation, suffering is central. Jesus didn't suggest picking up your cross daily and following Him for no reason.

[@dujekatusic8556]

Great

[@evannongrum2967]

Another angle we might want to look at is that the New covenant makes right the wrongs done by people of the old covenant. So the Lord Jesus came to save the descendants of those Jews ( and us all) who as a result of their disobedience were cursed into poverty, sadness, persecution etc, so the old curses become new blessings. But for those who are rich ( now ), have everything in this life , the version of Matthew will do. Blessed are the poor in spirit ( even though they have riches) We who are poor now must remember even then that amidst wretchedness we can have a full and vibrant life as promised by our Lord and Master, " I have come that you might have life and live it to the full".

[@Grandliseur]

Well explained! The theme of Christian suffering for Christ permeates all the NT. If a search for the word 'suffer' is done, a great many results will be found. Here is one example: Phi 1:29 KJV For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; However, it is the suffering of the righteous, not of the emvildoer: 1Pe 2:20 KJV For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

[@LostArchivist]

There are many angles we can look at this from. One is a simple matter of disposition, if your life is pleasant, you will believe it is enough to suffice and be complacent and thus not be as open to changes that God brings into it to prepare you for eternal life with Him, whereas the worse your life is, the more readily you will be open to making these changes, trusting in His judgement and plan and thus having a closer relationship with Him. Nothing can compare to living in the Divine Love which, is our goal. To become like Christ we must be willimg to give everything for the sake of others and the more suffering, the more we can offer the bitter cup up and share in Christ's redemptive work. In doing so, your capacity for love increases. Think about someone who deeply knows what torment to be very hungry and to struggle to find food is like. They see someone starving on the road. They will be much more likely to not only feed that person but to show their empathy and love and respect the other person's suffering and struggle.

[@edgarmorales4476]

Blessed are those with peaceful hearts for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are you when you hunger and thirst for goodness and for contact with the Father within you, because then you will surely be filled up a hundred times over. Blessed are you when you are attacked and robbed because you will see God-in-action when you stand still in perfect trust and see deliverance taking place. Blessed are you when you are caught up in conflict, yet you can still care about your fellow man and be the peace maker. You carry the Love in your heart which is of the Father and you are truly a child of the Father. Blessed are you when you have been deeply wronged by another yet can forgive and can show mercy, abstaining from seeking justice or the means to persecute him. You put yourself directly in harmony with the Love which is God-active-within you and even so will you be spared in times of trouble. Most blessed of all are the pure in heart, for such as these have rid themselves of all anger, hatred, vindictiveness, unkindness, envy, hardness of heart and stand before the world as Love-made-visible. They will know the Reality of God and they will know the Reality is the Father within them.

[@domenicgrande7292]

This is called the Sermon on the Mount !

[@fredsalfa]

I understand the blessings of following the Lord in the Old Testament. But how do you go from the curse of being blessed in the New Testament to the cross as an explanation? I think I missed a few steps there?

[@jamesmariani7513]

amen

[@amoschannel6982]

Thank you Dr Pitre.. It's a good hint I got from you this day, to connect the Beautitudes to the blessing and curse saying in Deuteronomy... That does match each other. However, I think somehow differently... As we know from the era of the 2nd temple, so many holy persons were being persecuted by the gentile kings. There had to be a question in their mind, was that what they got by obeying the Word of God.. Here Jesus taught the people to rejoice and to keep the faith despite bad things they experienced in life.. How do you think Dr?

[@adrienkrebs7666]

Agreed... otherwise why was Moses sounding like those “prosperity gospel” ministers!? Odd...

[@florencemaria1410]

The exact answer to your explanation of beatitudes that you can quote as evidence lies in EZEKIEL 34 and 20...

[@johnlong8037]

GOOD TEACHING SIR

[@zayan6284]

Where can I buy a bible as beautiful as yours?

[@Sunicarus]

Dallas Willard had an interesting interpretation of the beatitudes. He said that those who Jesus blesses in the beatitudes aren't blessed merely because of the condition that they are in but because the kingdom of God is available to them. The central message being even those considered the lowest by human standards are blessed because the kingdom of God is available to them. I like that interpretation but is it correct Dr. Pitre? Willard wasn't Catholic but some of his writings I find interesting.

[@jacobbrunoni2845]

Yes Dr. Pitre I have the same question.^^^^

[@abinfernandez8150]

I guess GOD is making his people understand him like teaching a topic ..going fron basics....for ex:- in law of Moses GOD teaches about divorce and when to divorce...but when we come to end of testament GOD says that GOD hates divorce..we see a growth in understanding about GOD that GOD brings in his people ..and the complete understanding of GOD is made known by sending down HIS ONLY SON JESUSCHRIST ...and now GOD has no more words, I meant that he gave us complete understanding through JESUSCHRIST. I find it amazing when GOD chooses Abraham and promises him an EARTHLY KINGDOM....GOD makes his people always know that we must strive for a KINGDOM...then they lose the KINGDOM (Which has abundance of food,worldly riches as its fruits) because of their sins... AND FINALLY GOD PROMISES A NEW KINGDOM THROUGH HIS SON THAT LASTS FOREVER IN WHICH SIN DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE AND GIVES US COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THAT KINGDOM WHICH HAS LOVE,PIETY,HUMBLESNESS,ETC..ALL KINDS OF SPIRITUAL FRUITS.... NOW IN THIS JOURNEY OF UNDERSTANDING GOD PROVES US THAT EVEN IF U GET INTO ANYKINDOF KINGDOM IT WILL BE LOST BECAUSE IT IS WORLDLY(MUCH PLEASURES)...REMEMBER WHAT JESUS SAID..."MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD" AND GOD SHOWS A KINGDOM WHICH WILL NEVER BE LOST AND IN WHICH WE CAN LIVE FOREVER AND THIS PROMISE IS FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN(OR DESCENDANTS)----IN CONTRAST TO THE PROMISES IN OLD COVENANT ( TO DESCENDANTS) SO IF WE ASPIRE WE LIVE LIKE OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE...AND IF WE ASPIRE FOR AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM WE LIVE LIKE JESUS...WE CAN SAY JESUS AS A NEW ISRAEL TO US....WE FOLLOW THE NEW ISRAEL FOR THE NEW EVERLASTING KINGDOM PROMISED ... THIS CONCEPT OF KINGDOM IS SO IMPORTANT THE WORD "KINGDOM" IS MENTIONED MORE THAN 30 TIMES IN JUST GOSPEL OF MATTHEW. .. AS OLD TESTMENT PEOPLE WERE STRIVING FOR A WORLDLY KINGDOM ...WE NEED TO STRIVE FOR OUR PROMISED KINGDOM, THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF GOD....

[@rickazar9261]

That the treasures of a vine-branch immediacy is so infinitely great -just consult John of the Cross, Meister Eckhart , etc- that other 'blessings' , all of which prevent the person from receiving vine-branch immediacy, MUST be curses..

[@cristobalgomezgutierrez8546]

MIND-BLOWING !!!

[@genericwatcher2439]

The parables of the bible make understanding it sooo confusing and they also appear to contradict other parables. I would NOT be able to help others if I gave everything I have away, yet I am supposed to help other people... Thus it is confusing to me that God would want me, someone who HE gave so many gifts/talents and that I use to help others, for me to throw them away and just be a homeless person who can't help anyone! If I was homeless and poor, I could not buy the equipment and food needed to run our churches men's group. If I was homeless and poor, I could not have given my sister money when she lost her job to keep her from being homeless. If I was homeless and poor, I could not give food/money to the homeless and poor people I have given food/money to. If I was homeless and poor, I could NOT... Throwing away our gifts/talents to be homeless and poor makes no sense.

[@barbwellman6686]

Faithful Christians were opposed and persecuted in the Early Church (Messianic Jews and converted pagans) and as Jesus said: 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

[@alephtav4254]

Deut.. To those who slaved and perscuted believers of GOD..

[@herptek]

So much wiser than men is God’s foolishness; so much stronger than men is God’s weakness.

[@happy1831]

Listen to Fr Terrence Chartier 🌹🌹🌹

[@paulhandsome1691]

Lord Jesus loves poor people Amen

[@domenicgrande7292]

Just like Baptism, its Spiritual !

[@gogogolyra1340]

Freakin true

[@rogercarles1700]

We now live in a world which is ruled by economics/geopolitics, ecological collapse, sexual depravity and moral disintegration (we can make the analogy with Luther, who broke the votes of poverty, obedience and chastity and allied himself with the local oligarchs). I'd say that beatitudes without logos/truth (in the greek/thomistic sense), without the 7 virtues and refusing the gifts of reason/will. That's why the catholic church was always at the front of science (Abad Lemaitre, a catholic was responsible for the discovery of the big bang or a catholic like Robert Ulanowicz is at the front of ecogical science, greatly unacknowledged by many today). Furthermore: I get the following doubt. Historically christians suffered 9 persectutions which fit well within the "pick your cross" narrative but how could then be explained that monestaries and cathedral schools were responsible for the great material development in arts/science? Should we, as catholics, think of those as having to have always to have Earthly blessings with regards to God? If that is the case then modernity is a complete inversion I do not understand how the catholic church doesn't condemn heressies like economic doctrine or geopolitics. Doesn't that indicate how weak are we catholics today? Is it a coincidence that behind most morally reprehensible industries (pornography, games of chance, usury, pesticide-production) are led by those who follow the earthy blessing but decided to reject them at the cross? Should we accept all those things withour protesting or adopt a posture like the one scholars like E Michael Jones take? Any thoughts? Thank you for the video. Amen

[@tomlawlor7144]

What's with all the pop-up messaging in this video ??? Very distracting and takes away from the messaging of Dr. Pitre. Just like having the person sitting beside you at the movies asking questions or making comments and expecting you to respond. Really ruins the show.

[@look007456]

no english subtitle,come from china,amen

[@SuperMichelleDJ]

There's actually nothing wrong with being rich. It's how you treat your riches that is the problem.

[@stephaniemichelle9878]

5 minutes…

[@MrMuugoo]

Wouldn’t this be something that elites would say in order to discourage the the poor and weak from attempting to attain money, and power.

[@florencemaria1410]

It's true they do say... but like I've mentioned above, being rich is not bad as long as you share that blessing with the poor (that is the real service to God); or God takes into account the suffering and tears of the poor and turn his judgement against the rich as in EZEKIEL 34...

[@brettglover302]

Dr Pitre, I see the beatitudes in Matthew differently to Luke. Matthew's narrative is linked with Isaiah 61. The Messiah beings Good news to the poor, comforts the afflicted, he revives the hearts and encourages the the meek Isaiah 59:15, The curse of Deuteronomy 28 has come to an end. God renews the broken and afflicted in the New covenant,:in mercy, forgiveness, righteousness is restored as a passion, and God's people are in the business of being peace. Luke is evangelizing non Jews, and promoting a counter culture gospel. The two versions are very different accounts. Matthew is addressing the Jewish experience of brokenness in Isaiah 61 and the Messianic hope of the new everlasting Covenant. While Luke in Chapter 4:14-21 has Isaiah 61 as Jesus' job description. Not sure about reversal theology of blessing and woes. I think the message of Matthew has more to do with hope in the goodness of God to revive human brokenness, to kindly restore people back into covenant and discover God's favor. Luke looks like Jesus words have been re-scripted into a new counter culture context to help Gentile Christians cope with harsh suffering.

[@jenschristiansen9490]

You shouldn’t teach old fairy tales as they were real. The way to bring humanity forward is to explain how the universe and life really works.

[@CatholicProductions]

Unless the denial of what is being taught in the above video is the fairy tale. I don’t think it’s all that helpful to provide as a rejoinder to the above video a statement that only follows from the conclusion you’d need to first establish in a plausible way and not assume. And I’d say to face it squarely is to ask the inescapable question and to thoroughly investigate (which may take a lifetime for some), “Who is Jesus Christ and why?”

[@jenschristiansen9490]

Catholic Productions, You shouldn’t use your intellect on old and bad ideas. Those who are hungry don’t need God, they need food. It’s not so difficult.

[@CatholicProductions]

As about as helpful as the 1st comment so I suspect this will go nowhere. You may have the last word if you so desire.

[@marieconroy8769]

What if you don't want a large family?????

[@marieconroy8769]

As a Catholic I feed them too through charity work and donations. However when I ask a question about family planning the answer frequently given is God gives children so people SHOULDN'T consider family planning or A.C. My question merely is what about those who wish to become Catholics who have an issue with that teachin g with regard to women"s health, economics, and mere pr eference??????