Pope Francis pointed today at the Beatitude which, he says, points to the heavenly homeland of God.
During his weekly General Audience, Francis made this observation to faithful gathered this morning, Feb. 19, 2020, in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, as he continued his new series of catechesis on the Beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel, considering the third of the eight proclamations: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5)
When Jesus says the meek will inherit the earth, Francis highlights that this Beatitude «ultimately points us to the heavenly homeland promised to the children of God.»
«For Jesus,» the meek are those who have learned to guard the territory of their relationship with God and preserve his gifts of peace, mercy and fraternity.»
While acknowledging that Jesus’ statement regarding the meek may sound contradictory, the Holy Father reminds the meek are those who have learned to protect their relationship with God and preserve His gifts.
The inheritance, Francis reminded, can be destroyed by sin, but on the other hand, can be preserved through meekness, which can make it grow and win hearts through its virtue and love.
«By imitating the meekness of Christ,» Francis said, «may we help to extend his kingdom and come to receive the inheritance promised to us by the Beatitude.»
Below is the Vatican-provided text of the Pope’s summary.
***
Speaker:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Beatitudes, we now consider the third Beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5). Scripture uses the term “meek” for the poor and the dispossessed of the land. Jesus’ statement that the meek will inherit the earth can thus seems contradictory. Yet the Lord tells us that the meek will inherit the earth. The Beatitude ultimately points us to the heavenly homeland promised to the children of God. For Jesus, the meek are those who have learned to guard the territory of their relationship with God and preserve his gifts of peace, mercy and fraternity. Sin can destroy this inheritance, for the hatred and division that flow from sin are destructive. Meekness, on the other hand, preserves this inheritance, enables it to grow and wins the hearts of others by love, kindness and friendship. By imitating the meekness of Christ, may we help to extend his kingdom and come to receive the inheritance promised to us by the Beatitude.
Speaker:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from England, Norway, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and the United States of America. Upon all of you and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless you!
[Vatican-provided English text]
