Are blessings rewards?

Are blessings rewards?

A first look at the Beatitudes and its format of expression (blessed are X for they shall Y) may make it seem like we should follow instructions to attain some kind of reward.

But is it really so?

For example, being poor in spirit is something that cannot be manufactured in order to attain heaven. Humility is all about gratefulness and cannot be about expectations. When someone supposedly poor in spirit expects a great reward, that person becomes inauthentic in their humility, and thus, they become undeserving of heaven.

Blessings await those who do good, but the moment we focus too much on the blessings, we lose sight of what is truly good.

Matthew 5:1-12A. The Beatitudes

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-029: JANUARY 29, 2023]