To be a Christian simply means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. How to practice Christianity in everyday life in this year of Our Lord 2012 can be both a puzzle and a challenge. However, Jesus gave His guidelines over 2,000 years ago which are just as applicable today as they were then. His admonitions and directives are as follows:
(a) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
God is the Creator of the universe, of each one of us and of all the good things that enrich our lives. We owe Him adoration, gratitude and love. We show our love by following His Commandments.
(b) You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31
God needs nothing from us. He is perfect and complete in Himself. We honor to Him by doing works of charity for His other children, everyone in this world, whom He loves just as He loves us.
(c) Blessed
are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Being poor in spirit means acknowledging that God owns everything. Christians seek be good stewards of those things with which we have been entrusted, not hoarding them, but using them to provide the necessities of life for ourselves and others.
(d) Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5: 4
Everyone experiences sorrow of some sort during their earthly journey. Those who confront the rough times bravely, without abandoning hope or giving in to despair, will receive God's consolation.
(e) Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5: 5
The meek are gentle souls who are willing to submit their lives to the will of God. They are not weak, but their strength is under voluntary restraint. They follow Christ, the almighty Creator of the universe who said, " Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart..." Matthew 11:29
(f) Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
This Beatitude brings to mind those who have worked and prayed for freedom and equality for all of God's people, such as Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, and Dr. Martin Luther King. All Christians can help further similar causes through their prayers and financial support.
(g) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5: 7
Merciful Christians are so affected by the misfortunes of others that they try to alleviate their sufferings. They follow Christ as they feed the hungry, give drinks to the thirsty, clothe the naked and care for the sick.
(g) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
Having a pure heart is the goal of the Christian life. It encompasses living a life that is pleasing to God, obeying His laws, having a single-minded devotion to Him, and directing all our efforts to achieving His purposes.
(h) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5: 9
Peacemakers are those who attempt to promote peace and harmony between individuals, groups or nations. Well-known contemporary peacemakers are Archbishop Oscar Romero, Elie Wiesel, and Kofi Annan.
(i) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5: 10
All those who suffer or die for faith and freedom are included in this Beatitude: Edith Stein, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer are brought to mind.
As doctors practice medicine, so followers of Christ practice Christianity. Since we are only human, we will never be perfect, but with the help of God's grace we should become better at it as we proceed along life's journey. We need only to keep in sight the guidelines Jesus left us.
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