Do my possessions rule me? Am I more worried about what I have or don't have than if I am experiencing God's love or sharing God's love?
Do I mourn? Can I feel another's pain? Do I see the injustice and sorrow in the world?
Are my words kind or cutting? Do I work to be peaceful or do I stir the pot to make situations more frustrating and dramatic? Do I thrive on drama? Do I pick at people to cause agitation or do I choose to help people be at peace?
Do I hunger for righteousness? Really hunger? Does it drive me to stand up for the good of others? To show mercy to those who agitate and frustrate us? To show mercy to those who have hurt us? Do I forgive or do I carry a grudge? Do I want to lash out and make someone "pay"?
How clean is my heart? Do I do what I do because I will gain from it or because it's what I want to do? To give because it feels good to give?
Do I stand up for my faith or am I afraid any time someone confronts me or asks questions about what I believe? Can I tell someone what I believe by showing them? By being kind to others? By sacrificing something of myself? Even if they make fun of me, get angry at me, and don't agree? What if they are a favorite uncle or grandma? Best friend? How do I respond? Do I get defensive or ignore the situation? Or do I continue to believe?
Which Beatitude most challenged you to change? What situation is the hardest for you to live the beatitudes in? Sometimes the hardest part is admitting the challenge but we all have them. None of us are the perfection of God. We study our faith to grow closer to him.
Do I mourn? Can I feel another's pain? Do I see the injustice and sorrow in the world?
Are my words kind or cutting? Do I work to be peaceful or do I stir the pot to make situations more frustrating and dramatic? Do I thrive on drama? Do I pick at people to cause agitation or do I choose to help people be at peace?
Do I hunger for righteousness? Really hunger? Does it drive me to stand up for the good of others? To show mercy to those who agitate and frustrate us? To show mercy to those who have hurt us? Do I forgive or do I carry a grudge? Do I want to lash out and make someone "pay"?
How clean is my heart? Do I do what I do because I will gain from it or because it's what I want to do? To give because it feels good to give?
Do I stand up for my faith or am I afraid any time someone confronts me or asks questions about what I believe? Can I tell someone what I believe by showing them? By being kind to others? By sacrificing something of myself? Even if they make fun of me, get angry at me, and don't agree? What if they are a favorite uncle or grandma? Best friend? How do I respond? Do I get defensive or ignore the situation? Or do I continue to believe?
Which Beatitude most challenged you to change? What situation is the hardest for you to live the beatitudes in? Sometimes the hardest part is admitting the challenge but we all have them. None of us are the perfection of God. We study our faith to grow closer to him.