Fifth Beatitude

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Getting Even

(Loving)

God forgives our sins and accepts us into his family as adopted children. In return, he asks us to extend mercy, love and forgiveness to one another

When we forgive those who have hurt us, even our enemies, we show all people that God is loving and merciful and that he cares for us all.

Every word or deed of unselfish kindness is an expression of the love of Christ. The merciful are those who manifest compassion to the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed

Showing unconditional love towards all

If we have experienced the first four beatitudes, then we have experienced the love of God. There are three types of love mentioned in the Bible: eros, philia and agape. Eros may be described as purely human physical love, while philia is ethical, humanistic love that comes from reason. Reason, rightly, dictates who is to receive it, thus making a selective process of our love. The love that Jesus tells us we must display is God's love, agape love. This radically inclusive idea of loving did not exist until Jesus. It is not instinctive for humanity to love on this level. We love prejudicially- we love hierarchically. Without God's grace, we would be incapable of agape love.