A BIT OF HOW I HAVE LIVED THE BEATITUDES
Chilifya Tayali the married man.
This picture was taken in 1998 in Kampala – Uganda, where I was doing my fourth year as a student to become a Comboni Missionary Priest. The stage is called Novitiate and mostly you have Spiritual classes about the Congregation and you go out in the Community to help, in what is called apostolate.
Together with 4 of my other friends, we used to go in the streets of Kampala to help street children. The child in my arms was born from one of the street girls and I was so fond of him. If he is alive, he should be about 23/24 years old now.
The other boy is Moses and he was given that name because he was literally picked from a garbage site, in Nakasero. I love children so I naturally connected to these babies and all the street-children.
Unfortunately, I could not go far in my desire to become a Priest, I was kicked out for being controversial and critical. But I don’t regret my actions of standing up for the truth and those I feel are unjustly treated.
However, I have tried (or continued) to live a life of prayer and serving others, including speaking out against injustices. Many times I risk my own life to help others. At times I give out the last of what I have to help others.
In a way, I have tried to live the Beatitude of Jesus written in Matthew 5:1-12
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” ”
The Beatitude does not literally mean we have to suffer to be blessed, but to be sensitive to the needs of others. You may have everything and comfortable, but be sensitive, empathetic, compassionate and gracious to others, who may be going through difficulties.
Though I have failed in many other things, I feel consoled that, at least I try to serve or help out others.
I don’t know about you, how are you living your life? May the Lord help us to see the need of others and help them.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY THAT WE HELP OUT OTHERS WHILE WE GET HELPED IN OUR OWN NEEDS