Q 01/05

Which group will inherit the earth, according to a Beatitude that echoes Psalm 37?

A) The wise

B) The brave

C) The meek

D) The generous

Answer · why

C) The meek

The meek were promised land long before Jesus spoke: Psalm 37:11 uses almost the same words, and the New American Bible still says 'the land' in Matth...

Q 02/05

Which Monty Python film shows listeners at the back of the crowd mishearing the Beatitudes?

A) Life of Brian

B) The Meaning of Life

C) The Holy Grail

D) Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Answer · why

A) Life of Brian

Life of Brian plays the sermon itself straight, with Jesus shown respectfully. The comedy comes from people standing too far away to hear him properly...

Q 03/05

Which group does Jesus call blessed in the very first Beatitude, recorded at Matthew 5:3?

A) The humble in heart

B) The poor in spirit

C) The weak in body

D) The strong in faith

Answer · why

B) The poor in spirit

The poor in spirit come first, and the phrase is Matthew's alone: Luke's shorter version speaks directly to people who are simply poor.

Q 04/05

Which shape did the architect give the Church of the Beatitudes, to match the number of blessings?

A) A Greek cross

B) A circle

C) A hexagon

D) An octagon

Answer · why

D) An octagon

An octagon gives the church one wall for each blessing in Matthew's list, and the words of the blessings appear in its upper windows.

Q 05/05

What are those who mourn promised in Matthew's Beatitudes, a pledge that echoes Isaiah chapter 61?

A) They will be comforted

B) They will be healed

C) They will be avenged

D) They will be remembered

Answer · why

A) They will be comforted

They will be comforted, a hope Isaiah 61 had voiced centuries earlier, when it spoke of one sent to console all who grieve.