As we begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, we remember the reality of this broken world and that (unless Jesus returns during our lifetime) we will all face death. As we use the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount to reshape our thoughts and attitudes about our lives, we will look at how Christians are called to live in radically countercultural ways. This countercultural way of living is one that Jesus Himself embodied and following Him will ultimately bring what our hearts so desperately desire.

Matthew 5:1-4

The Sermon on the Mount

5 Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.

The Beatitudes

2 And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.