The Beatitudes

The Sermon on the Mount

Sun Myung Moon

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3-12

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

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will he shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom  of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and he glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

I would like for you and me to spend this time together in open mindedness so that the spirit of God can speak directly into our hearts. Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven... Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matt. 5:3-6)

Tonight I humbly ask you to be the poor in spirit. I ask you to be the meek, and I ask you to become those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Then we will all see the kingdom of heaven, and we shall all be satisfied.

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: The Future of Christianity October 28, 1973

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Being sons of God means being loved by God. When two fingers want to grasp something, they must come together. If two hands are clasped, the very deepest places in both are opened and joined together. When any two people love each other, they want to embrace, not turn their backs on each other. Remaining united is also the expression of love, so when you love each other, you will not separate from each other. If there is no love between you, you may come together anyway but you will be easily drawn apart. But where there is love, its magnetic power will keep you together. To be united means to be perfected in function.

Between nations, too, if any two nations are united, God's love will be there, and they will be blessed with good fortune in their partnership. There is an Oriental saying that where there is harmony in the family, everything can be done. Where there is unity and harmony, the love of God is present, and the ideal can be realized there. In the ideal family, the husband and wife should be one. The children should become united with each other, brothers and sisters, and all together they will be in harmony like a symphony orchestra or a beautiful painting. With love there, no other power can intervene.

So we can come to the conclusion that if and when you want to receive God's love, you must be united. If that is done, you are already living in the kingdom of God on earth. From there, the straight path to God is reached.

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: New Hope: Twelve Talks by Sun Myung Moon

In the Sermon on the Mount there is an important phrase, the peacemakers shall be called the sons and daughters of God. The Bible didn't say that only those who obey commands will enter heaven. With how many people have you made harmony? Those who can harmonize with other people will rise higher and higher, and ultimately become great leaders.

The Cain-Abel theory in the Unification Church is very strong, and sometimes I worry that it is understood incorrectly. Leaders who are given responsibility sometimes have the mistaken idea that they have sole authority, but I tell you that Abel is only Abel when he saves Cain. Divine Principle teaches that you should love and embrace Cain, and then bring him to the mother. If you sometimes don't get along with your leader but you take care of brothers and sisters, that leader will still look for you because without you he cannot be successful.

This is why the Bible says that when two or more gather to pray, then God will be in their midst. Your prayer is not as powerful when you pray singly as when you pray together. Brothers and sisters should truly unite so they can share life together.

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: Historical Children's Day October 28, 1981

If individuals oppose you but you overcome and win a victory then you are restored on the individual level. If you are opposed and persecuted by families but you overcome that, then you are restored on that level. If the whole nation comes against you but you remain dedicated for the sake of the family and nation, then the law of indemnity is accomplished on that level and national salvation comes to you. likewise, if the whole world opposes you, you can … in that level of salvation by being victorious. Perhaps even the spirit world will oppose you.

From the speech of Sun Myung Moon: The Age of New Dispensation May 14, 1978