Title: THE BEATITUDES: SEEKING THE JOY OF GODS KINGDOM.

           By Fr. Paul Hinnebusch, OP.   Pauline Books and Media, 2000.

 

Quote:   Jesus proclaimed the beatitudes in the vocabulary and spirituality of the

              Anawim, Yahwehs poor ones.  Israels rich religious heritage fully

              flowered in this Anawim spirituality.

 

 

I recently began reading a series of books which deal with the subject of the Beatitudes.  To date, I have read from authors Luke Timothy Johnson, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, and Susan Muto. I recommend each of them for different reasons, however when I read Fr. Hinnebuschs book I found myself spending more time with it than the others.  I enjoyed studying it, taking notes, and am very grateful for his work.  Whereas the other authors take a spiritual approach to the Beatitudes, Fr. Hinnebusch takes a scriptural as well as a spiritual perspective on those eight blessings which Our Lord Jesus preached to the people as He began His ministry.

 

Fr. Hinnebusch begins by explaining the spirituality of the Anawim.  This term signifies the people who remained faithful to the covenant, but who were dispersed during and after the Babylonian captivity, and who longed and hoped for the coming of the Messiah.  As a remnant people, they were to be the foundation of the new church when the Messiah appeared on earth.  From this understanding of the Anawim, Fr. Hinnebusch presents the Beatitudes as the great blessing of God on His people who desire to grow in the faith and to be in union with Him.  With the coming of Jesus Christ, the Beatitudes become the way of living the New Covenant.  They balance the Ten Commandments in moral living and actually bring to fruition the Law of Love which Jesus revealed to us as our Savior.

 

This is why I say that Fr. Hinnebusch offers a wonderful scriptural approach in his study and reflection on the Beatitudes.  He relates to us the roots of each of the meanings of the eight blessings, and with his knowledge of the Hebrew language, he translates and deepens our understanding of the words and virtues expressed in the Beatitudes.  Anyone who has read Fr. Hinnebuschs books knows that he writes concisely, clearly, and with a view to practicality.  This book reminds us that we are to live our faith, not merely think about it, especially during the liturgical season of ordinary time.  In future newsletters, I hope to recommend additional books on the Beatitudes.