Understanding the Beatitudes as the New Law of Love – Jun 08 – Homily – Fr Michael
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Fr. Michael M. Gauvreau, FI gives the homily on Jun 08, 2026, explaining how Jesus' Beatitudes present a new law of love that guides believers toward true, eternal happiness by transforming their spiritual dispositions.
In his homily on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), Father Michael contrasts the giving of the New Law with the Old Law of Moses. Instead of the terrifying thunder of Mount Sinai, Jesus leads His people up the mountain in love to reveal the path to true happiness—the literal meaning of "blessed." Each Beatitude describes a spiritual disposition that aligns the human soul with God's kingdom. Poverty of spirit is defined as childlike humility and total reliance on God, exemplified by St. Francis embracing the cross. Mourning extends beyond grief to lamenting the consequences of original sin and death. Meekness is not weakness, but rather immense strength restrained by mercy for the sake of peace. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to long for divine order, which will be fully satisfied in eternity. Mercy means showing undeserved goodness to others, reflecting God's own love. Purity of heart involves aligning our human will with the divine will, allowing us to see God's providence in all circumstances. Peacemakers establish the "tranquility of order" by teaching truth and guiding human wills toward God. Finally, enduring persecution for righteousness unites believers to Christ's inheritance. By embracing these dispositions, faithful Christians move beyond the letter of the law to live the supreme law of love, securing true happiness both in this life and eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven (CCC 1716).
Pope Francis 2014 – Jesus gives new Beatitudes law like Moses on Sinai – https://airmaria.com/go/jPvgLs
CCC 1716 – Beatitudes respond to desire for happiness – https://airmaria.com/go/tDn7H9
CCC 2304 – Peace is the tranquility of order – https://airmaria.com/go/WdcwxB
CCC 2518 – Purity of heart defines spiritual vision – https://airmaria.com/go/jcwQhM
00:00 - The New Law of Love
01:11 - Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
03:26 - Blessed Are They Who Mourn
05:14 - Blessed Are the Meek
08:24 - Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness
09:03 - Blessed Are the Merciful
10:14 - Blessed Are the Clean of Heart
11:58 - Blessed Are the Peacemakers
14:07 - Persecuted for the Sake of Righteousness
15:17 - Rejoice and Be Glad: The Big Picture
Ave Maria!
Mass: Monday 10th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings: - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/060826.cfm
1st: 1 Kings 17:1-7 - Elijah Proclaims a Drought
Resp: Psalms 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 - A Song of Ascents
Gsp: Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1619
Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHQVpZwIuqA
