On a hillside near Capernaum, Jesus had preached the “Sermon on the Mount.” On Mount Calvary the Sermon was fulfilled — not preached again, but given. In the act of death, Jesus brings the Sermon on the Mount to life. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes are spoken. Now, on the Cross, the Beatitudes are. They come to life. On Good Friday Jesus is the Beatitudes.
Jesus is “poor in spirit.” “How happy are the poor in spirit.” Happy are those who serve God rather than Mammon. Jesus is given to us stripped of all attachments except one: His attachment to His Father’s Will and Service. The Cross is our assurance that, though we have nothing, in possessing Jesus we have everything.
Jesus is “gentle.” How “happy are the gentle.” How happy are the meek: the last shall be first. Jesus had prepared for His death by humbly stooping to wash His disciples’ feet. Now, hanging on the Cross in total…
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