II. G. Increase in the Life of God - Beatitudes

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G.   Beatitudes - Christ told us how we are to act in order to show our love for him and thus gain the Kingdom

                             of Heaven.

        ۰  Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

        ۰  Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.

        ۰  Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

        ۰  Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled.

        ۰  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

        ۰  Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.

        ۰  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

        ۰  Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

H.    Miracles

        ۰  God cannot be bound by the finite laws he has made.

        ۰  A miracle suspends the operation of natural laws.

        ۰  A miracle is a special intervention of divine power in the ordinary workings of nature.

        Criteria for a miracle

        ۰  Did the event actually occur – obtained by ordinary testimony.

        ۰  Could it have taken place without God’s intervention within the boundaries of his natural law.

        ۰  Competent experts identify the event is outside the laws of nature.

        Examples of a miracle:

        ۰  Sight is possible when competent medical examination concludes the nerves and retina of eye 

            have not been attached. 

        ۰  A person walks, who without medical treatment was previously diagnosed a cripple.

        ۰  Cancer is not found, when previous competent medical examination has identified its direct

             threat to life.

I.    Saints

A saint is a person who has died and presently enjoys the eternal vision of God in heaven.  The Church does not encourage adoration of these heavenly residents, but rather, suggests imitation of the heroic virtues which motivated them in life.  Saints also act as intercessors to God as they are his companions.  The early Church looked to its martyrs for the faith as immediate saints.      

Of all the multitudes of persons who are in heaven, the Church has a identified a relatively small number whom it calls saints.  There are presently several steps in the process of Canonization which means a person is included in the Church's Canon, or list of saints which is declared without error to reside with God in heaven.  The first step is taken by the person's local bishop who initiates a study into the person's life and writings to consider if it is conformity with the Faith.  His findings are sent to Rome for further review by panels of judges and theologians.  Favorable results from these examiners are sent to the Holy Father for his review to receive the title "venerable."  The second step called beatification requires that God perform a miracle due to the intercession of the candidate saint.  Finally, canonization requires another miracle.  When these requirements are satisfied, the Pope may declare to the universal church that the person is actually in heaven and worthy of veneration and intercession.         

Of all the saints who surround God, the one most venerable is the Blessed Virgin Mary.  As a young girl, she consented to become the Mother of Christ.  As the Daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son, and the Spouse of God the Holy Spirit, she bore her Son in her womb, nursed him and nourished him before his public ministry and death.  Of all creatures, she is the most intimate with God and solicitous for our welfare.  She is rightly called, “The solitary boast of the human race.”