The Beatitudes are our pattern for living. They are radical. From the first, "Blessed are the poor in spirit," to the last, "Blessed are those who are persecuted," each runs counter to our culture. The world praises pride, not humility. The first four shape our character, the last four shape our actions. You'll find no better guide for your life.

This full-color book features 13 ready-to-use lesson plans on the Beatitudes. By using these lessons, you will help your students come to see that Jesus Christ is the only way to personal freedom, happiness, and holiness. Every self-contained lesson in this guide is teacher-written, classroom-tested, and scholar-reviewed, and gives you everything you need to help guide your students understand the true meaning of Jesus' most important teachings. To help you differentiate instruction, this guide includes lessons at three grade levels. Each lesson is clearly marked with an intended audience/reading level. Based on the students you have from class to class/year to year, you can decide which resource(s) to use with which students. Each lesson is designed in a flexible, modular format, and includes: Essential questionsConnections to the Catechism of the Catholic ChurchAccessible and engaging background readingBiblical touchstonesComprehension and critical thinking questionsWarm-up / bell workMain activity such as primary source analysis, role-playing, structured debate, and many othersHomework and extension optionsBulletin Board extension options for elementary lessons The veteran schoolteachers who wrote the twelve lessons included here know firsthand your needs in the classroom. Even the layflat binding makes it easy for you to photocopy all the provided handouts and activities. Lessons Unit One: Foundations of Christian Moral Theology Our Eternal End is in HeavenRules and FreedomConscience: God's Voice in Our HeartsVocation: The Universal Call to HolinessWhat Is God Calling Me to Do?The Role of FeelingsThe Reality of Sin and the Necessity of Virtue Obedience Unit Two: Living the Life of Christ Jesus Teaches Us How to LiveThe Beatitudes and Moral ChoicesWho Are the Blessed?The Beatitudes and the SaintsRejoice and Be Glad: The Poem of the Beatitudes This resource facilitates experiential learning with sacred art including works by: MichelangeloHartman SchedeCaravaggioEl GrecoJames TissotFra AngelicoLeonardo Da VinciAnd many others Your students will read and analyze primary sources from writers including: St. Thomas AquinasGaudium et SpesSt. Gregory the GreatJohn Henry Cardinal NewmanPope FrancisSt. AugustineSt. Paul of the CrossMark TwainAnd many others In addition to Biblical touchstones in every lesson, your students will study in-depth and apply their knowledge of scripture passages including: John 8:31-32Genesis 2:7Matthew 22:37-39Galatians 5:1Exodus 10:15Exodus 20:12Leviticus 19:12Luke 1:39-45Jeremiah 31:33Proverbs 3:5-62 Timothy 1:13-14Psalm 119:104-1061 Thessalonians 2:13Matthew 26:36-46Luke 22:39-46Romans 13:14Jeremiah 17:9-10Matthew 7:25-27Mark 7:21-23John 19:25-27Genesis 31 Samuel 17Luke 1:26-30Genesis 3:1-13; 15-19Genesis 12:1-9; 17:1-82 Samuel 11:1 to 12:18aMatthew 17:1-9Matthew 25:31-462 Thessalonians 3:13Luke 18:35-43Matthew 14:15-21Luke 10:39-37Matthew 8:1-3Mark 5:2-15John 8:1-11Matthew 5:3-10; 43-48Matthew 7:2-5Matthew 15: 17-18; 21-22 Includes Saint Biography Cards at two reading levels. St. Joan of ArcSt. Francis of AssisiSt. AugustineSt. Teresa of AvilaBl. Chiara Luce BadanoSt. Andre BessetteSt. Rose Philippine DuchesneSt. Josemaria EscrivaSt. Maximilian KolbeSt. Therese of LisieuxSt. Gianna Beretta MollaSt. MonicaSt. Thomas MoreSt. PaulSt. Pope John Paul IISt. PeterBl. Miguel Pro JuarezSt. Dominic SavioSt. StephenBl. Teresa of Calcutta

In this encouraging, easy-to-read book, Father Jeffrey Kirby offers hope to the tired, overburdened, and unhappy. He reminds us that we are made for happiness. But he goes beyond that, showing us the path to achieving happiness. It's not a new path. In fact, Jesus showed us the way in the Beatitudes, but Kingdom of Happiness reveals how these aren't merely nice sayings, they are powerful ways of living.

Drawing on stories from the lives of the saints, scripture, and everyday life, Jim Forest opens up the mysteries of the Beatitudes. These ancient blessings, with which Christ began his Sermon on the Mount, are all aspects of communion with God. As Forest shows, they are like rungs on a ladder, each one leading to the next. They appear at the doorway of the New Testament to provide an easily memorized summary of everything that follows, right down to the crucifixion ("Blessed are you who are persecuted") and the resurrection ("Rejoice and be glad").

In Ramblings and Writings of a Radical Christian, embark on a transformative journey through the author’s deeply personal reflections and revelations that emerged from a profound encounter with divine grace. This book captures the essence of a spiritual awakening that not only reshaped the author’s faith but also offered a radical new perspective on living a life wholly devoted to Christ. Through a series of introspective essays and thought-provoking musings, the author shares how a singular moment of divine intervention led to an extraordinary shift in perception and a renewed sense of purpose. This collection is a testament to the power of faith and the radical changes it can inspire. Inside Ramblings and Writings of a Radical Christian, you will explore: The Divine Awakening: Delve into the profound experience that provided the author with a fresh, undistracted view of life and faith, turning everyday challenges into opportunities for spiritual growth. Transformative Clarity: Discover how a deepened understanding of scripture and divine purpose led to a radical transformation in the author’s approach to living a holy and purposeful life. The Struggle for Holiness: Gain insight into the ongoing battle against worldly distractions and fleshly desires, and how this struggle fuels a passionate pursuit of Christ’s righteousness. Guidance and Reflection: Reflect on the author’s personal journey and apply these reflections to your own life, as you seek to align your thoughts and actions with divine purpose and love. Ramblings and Writings of a Radical Christian is more than just a collection of thoughts; it’s a call to examine your own spiritual path and embrace a radical shift towards living a life fully surrendered to God. Whether you’re navigating your own spiritual awakening or simply seeking inspiration for a deeper relationship with Christ, this book offers a compelling and introspective guide to living a life defined by radical faith and divine clarity.

A longstanding annual favourite continues under its new editorship bringing a wide variety of preaching voices together to offer a resource for preaching at the principal and the second service every Sunday of the coming year, plus on principal feast days and seasonal services. Ideal for preachers in all churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary, it also includes sermons for holy days, major saints’ days and special occasions such as Mothering Sunday, harvest, rogation and Christmas services. If preparation time is short, the sermons are complete and can be used as they are, but they will also act as a framework for creating your own sermon texts. It also includes: - an introductory essay for preachers - all-age talks for special occasions - hymn suggestions throughout the year - an index of topics and names A boon for hard-pressed clergy, readers and local preachers everywhere.

Since 2015 has been ; deemed the Year of the Consecrated Life by Pope Francis, ; this work by Cardinal Arinze is a very timely one-for this ; year, and for any time. A reflection on the consecrated ; life, Radical Discipleship represents a beautiful ; way for faithful Catholics to participate in this ; Church-wide theme and celebration by coming to a deeper ; understanding of the consecrated life. Radical ; Discipleship illuminates the vocation of the ; consecrated state and its presence in the Body of Christ, ; beginning with a brief look at its origins in Scripture and ; the early Church. The work then reflects upon the ; following: The different forms this radical ; life takes The population of consecrated persons ; in the Church today The recognition that the ; consecrated life has received from the Church The ; vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience taken by all ; consecrated persons Community life as it pertains ; to consecrated life The prophetic aspect of the ; consecrated life The impact of the consecrated ; state on the Church community and on ; society Alongside these fascinating topics, ; Cardinal Arinze addresses some of the problems faced by ; consecrated people, and how these difficulties have led ; some to abandon this vocation. In examining the struggles ; specific to the consecrated state, the Cardinal seeks to ; encourage other consecrated persons to persevere in their ; vocation. He further calls the entire Church to support the ; consecrated life and those who have dedicated themselves to ; Christ in this way. Although filled with substantive ; information, even the most involved sections are presented ; in an engaging, readable and reflective style. The book is ; not, as the Cardinal explains, "a dissertation based on ; deep research on the theology and canon law on the ; consecrated life". Radical Discipleship is ; rather a reflection, written for consecrated people, other ; laity and clergy alike, and offers wonderful material for ; thought and prayer. It is Cardinal Arinze's hope that his ; work will make the consecrated life "better understood, ; loved, lived and promoted".