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=== Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. === | === Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. === | ||
* Jesus warns us | * "for righteousness sake" means doing the right thing for God | ||
* Jesus warns us to focus on God and not the things of the world, which leads to death (in sin) | |||
** and thus to seek righteousness with God and not the things of the world: | |||
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/8?36 Mk 8:36]) | |||
=== Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. === | |||
*Jesus warns us frequently that the world will hate us on his account, such as from [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/13:13 Mk 13:13]: | |||
You will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. | |||
* thereby, we will be rewarded if we stand up for God despite hatred and persecution for it | * thereby, we will be rewarded if we stand up for God despite hatred and persecution for it | ||
* note that every Apostle except John died a martyr | |||
=== | === Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. === | ||
* if we follow the Beatitudes, we can "rejoice and be glad" now as well as in heaven | |||
* Jesus tells us that his way is joyful and not burdensome (difficult to bear): | |||
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11:30 Mt 11:30]) | |||
== Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit == | == Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit == |