Listening at the Church of the Beatitudes

MT 5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:

  MT 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  MT 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

  MT 5:5 Blessed are the meek,  for they will inherit the earth.

  MT 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

  MT 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

  MT 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

  MT 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.

  MT 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    MT 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Church of the Beatitudes is on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha and Capernaum in Israel. It was built on the traditional site of Jesus' delivery of the Sermon on the Mount.

the altar at the centre of the church

beautiful stained glass windows with the words of the Beatitudes

The natural formation of the land near the Sea of Galilee makes a wonderful amphitheater

Apparently if you speak at a certain site in the natural amphitheater, your voice may carry far. Jesus may have sat and preached from a rock such as these above.


    MT 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

    MT 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.