The Beatitudes, the blessings of true discipleship, are from the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1-12 – below), as well as His Sermon on the Plain (Lk 6:17-26).
In the Sermon on the Mount, we see God Incarnate speaking with authority to the multitudes face to face; Christ introduces the kind of life those who seek the Kingdom of God must lead. His homily could properly be called, “The Righteousness of the Kingdom.” It can be divided into several sections: The Beatitudes; The New Covenant; Spiritual disciplines, such as giving alms, prayer, and fasting; and, Exhortations to righteousness.
Matthew 5:1-12
“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”