The Eight Doors of the Kingdom: Meditations on the Beatitudes [Paperback]

by Jacques Philippe

Description By Fr. Jacques Philippe The Gospel of St. Matthew Shares with us astonishing words of a promise of everlasting happiness, far removed from the usual recipes for gratification. Blessed are the poor in spirit! Blessed are those who mourn! Happy are the meek!... Fr. Jacquesshares with us a profound clarity to the full scope of meaning behind Christ’s eight beatitudes, and in turn, outlines for us a way in which we can live them in our daily lives. We learn how each beatitude gives insight into how we can situate ourselves in an honest and fulfilling relationship with God, with oneself, and with others, and how to confront head-on the difficult realities of life. Author Bio Fr. Jacques Philippe is a member of the Community of the Beatitudes,founded in France in 1973. After studying in Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Rome, he was ordained a priest in 1985. He primarily devotes himself to spiritual direction and preaching retreats internationally, and his published books on spirituality are the consolidated result of such work. His books Real Mercy , Interior Freedom , Fire & Light, and Thirsting for Prayer , among others, are also available from Scepter. You can find out more about Fr. Philippe and his preaching schedule at FrJacquesPhilippe.com

Genres: Catholic, Faith, Christianity, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christian

214 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Jacques Philippe was born into a Christian family on March 12, 1947 in Lorraine, France. After studying mathematics in college, he spent several years teaching and doing scientific research. In 1976, he met the then recently-founded Community of the Beatitudes and answered the Lord’s call to follow Him through this vocation (see below for more information on the Community of the Beatitudes). He then spent several years in Jerusalem and Nazareth immersing himself in the study of Hebrew and the Jewish roots of Christianity. In 1981, he traveled to Rome to study theology and canon law and also began his work as a spiritual director, working in the formation of priests and seminarians of the Community. In 1994, he returned to France, where he assumed various responsibilities including spiritual direction, the development of training in the Community, and participation in its General Council. He has also preached retreats regularly in France and abroad and has consolidated his principal retreat themes into five books on spirituality. In recent years, he has devoted himself primarily to spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working for the development of the Community in Asia and Oceania, where he travels frequently.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to the writings of father Jacques Philippe was Time For God, which I first read 11 years ago. I have reread that book for times now and every time I read it I get something more out of it. And when he has a new book come out in French I eagerly await it being available in English. Thankfully for this book the wait was less than a year. This book combines two of my favorite things, the incredible spiritual writings of Father Philippe and the beatitudes. If I may digress for a sentence or two, it was in part the beatitudes that helped me return to the church. Specifically, Matthew 5:6 'Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.' At a low point late in my teen years I had wandered away from the church. I was searching and in a used book store a bible that that verse and one other marked in the front cover. After finding and reading the passage I knew it described me and where I was at. And so to have a book by father Philippe on these 8 beatitudes is I am certain a blessing for all who will read it.

This book is short and to the point. There is a brief introduction, then a chapter on each of the beatitudes. There is no specific conclusion. For each of the 8 has a conclusion in the chapter. The Chapters in the book are:

Introduction
1. The Poor In Spirit
2. Happy Are Those Who Mourn, For They Will Be Consoled
3. Happy Are The Meek
4. Happy Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Justice. They Will Be Satisfied
5. Happy Are The Merciful For They Shall Obtain Mercy
6. Happy Are The Pure Of Heart
7. Happy Are The Peacemakers
8. Happy Are Those Persecuted For Justice

Father Philippe in this book draws from several sources to provide examples to his points. Some of the authors he draws from are:

Thérèse of Lisieux
Raniero Cantalamessa
Catherine of Siena
John Eudes
John of the Cross
Maria Faustina Kowalska
Etty Hillesum

And Several others. At the end of the book there is a brief sections on the works cited. It provides details not only on the work cited but which translation was used in preparing this book.

Each chapter in tis book follows the same format. It begins with the specific Beatitude. This is followed by one or more other biblical passage that reflects the point. Then father Philippe unpacks the meaning, of the phrases of the beatitude. And then he expands upon that in several sections. If we take for example the fourth chapter Happy Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst For Justice. They Will Be Satisfied, the sections in that chapter are:

The Desire For Holiness
Desire Salvation For All
The Desire For Truth
What Is My Deepest Desire?
May The Thirst Of Jesus Become Our Thirst
Repair The Fundamental Injustice That Leads Others Astray

In this chapter father Philippe causes us to reflect he says:

"The fourth Beatitude points to a question: What is my deepest desire?

Hunger and thirst are images of desire for in what is most vital and essential. It is good to put this question to one's heart: What is my deepest desire? What do I really hunger and thirst for? What desire is the principle of unity for my life?

It is natural that one have several desires, yet this can be a source of interior division and the accomplishment of some of our desires can lead us to an impasse or deceive us. St. Paul speaks of the need for a certain filtering or discernment, to distinguish those that come from the "flesh" (our wounded psyches) from those that come from the "spirit" (our authentic aspirations for what is really good for us and the promptings of the Holy Spirit).

But among all our desires one is dominant in that it gathers together and unifies all the others. We find in one of the Psalms this wonderful prayer: "Teach me thy way, O LORD, that I may walk in thy truth; unite my heart to fear thy name." And Jesus says: "He who does not gather with me scatters." In failing to direct their desire toward God, people risk 'scattering' themselves."

And that is just the beginning of the section that leads us most to apply the teaching to our life. And this chapter concludes with these words:

"In the end, then, to be hungry and thirsty for justice means ardently desiring that God be better known and loved. It means desiring to respond to ingratitude by a surfeit of love. It means wanting to embrace God, love God, and trust God to make up for all those who do not embrace, love, and trust him."

As can bee seen from these few brief examples on one of the beatitudes this book has a depth of meaning and can have an even deeper impact upon our lives. After reading a book like this one, I want to shout from the rooftops about it. I mention it frequently in conversations, I give copies of it away to friends and clergy. This is a book that will have a lasting impact upon its readers. I have loved all the books I have read by father Philippe, each of them has garnered 5/5 stars, but this might be the best of the lot. If you are a fan of his writings run out and pick up this book. If you are unfamiliar with his works, this book will be an incredible introduction into his writing style and thought. An incredible read!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Father Jacques Philippe.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Samantha B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished! Started reading one chapter (ish) per week during Lent, and I got to the end today! (Much to my joy--I've been looking forward to the chapter on persecution for the sake of the kingdom for awhile!) It's been a joy to discuss the chapters with Mom, Dad, and Legolas. (Would definitely recommend it as a discussion book!)

Jacques Philippe is one of my mom's favorite Catholic writers, and I can see why--he has a straightforward, practical style, occasionally embellished by very dry humor, and many, many scriptural quotes, as well as quotes from other sources, ranging from St. Therese to The Brothers Karamazov. I think I learned a lot, and I foresee rereading, in order to cement my learning.

[Claire Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I described this book to SB today in Molly’s was “universal.” This is a book that I could give to any friend who is in any season with the Lord. The Beatitudes are the doorway to the heart of the Father and immense channels of grace. Fr. Jacques Philippe writes in a way that is simple, yet profound. Strong and convicting, yet gentle. I am so blessed by every word of this book and could chew on it for a long time! Highlighter and pen cover most of the pages. Thank you Jesus!
- “Every Christian must give off the perfume of the Gospel, an aroma of peace and meekness, of joy and humility.”
- “The first step in acquiring humility is to recognize that we have none.”
- “A relationship with God not rooted in justice and love toward one’s neighbor is an illusion, a lie.”

[Christina Costain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adding this to my top four JP books (Searching For and Maintaining Peace, In the School
Of the Holy Spirit, and The Way Of Trust and Love rounding out that list)- Jacques always delivers poignant and practical wisdom within the covers of his books. Best read in small chunks of time for best meditation and absorption but even better when you can read within a group setting so that you can continue to flesh out the ideas and offer one another practical applications along with he grace of the Holy Spirit.
That was how I came to read his latest, The Eight Doors of the Kingdom- with a group of women that I have become friends with through a Catholic Scripture study. JP opened our eyes to reading the beatitudes in a new way. This is a try priceless book and hopefully, you, too, will not be able to withstand underlining many sentences and passages within it.
“In living the Beatitudes we are open to the gifts of the Spirit, while, inversely, only the Holy Spirit can give us the understanding to practice the Beatitudes fully.”

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read a Fr. Jacques Philippe book I didn’t like!

[Elizabeth Rozman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, good read. Some chapters spoke to my heart, while others were drier.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter reads perfectly. It's the right balance between theological depth but also brevity. It has just enough for the reader to consider, reflect, and unlock the depth of The Beatitudes. Since it's so short it is a good read for someone seeking commentary on the beatitudes and understand them in the way they were meant to be understood. How applicable these Beatitudes are for our time.

[Norie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my never-ending quest to draw closer to God, I was deeply satisfied by this book . What follows is how The Eight Doors of the Kingdom (hereafter, The Eight Doors) accomplished this for me.

1) More fully defining terms that can always afford additional openings up. Some examples include distinguishing more finely between poverty of spirit versus meekness; re: the hunger for justice, how this refers to love of our neighbor, which cannot be separated from our relationship with God; "Purity...[is] not in things [or actions entirely] but in one's way of seeing them" (more on "purity" later).
2) A consistent theme illustrated throughout The Eight Doors demonstrated how living the Beatitudes is not only following in Christ's walk, but also enabling us to know Christ more deeply, as he lived a life in accord with the Beatitudes, i.e., he could be seen as describing himself.
3) At one key point for me, I was deeply moved to both sorrow and hopeful prayers after reading about God's great sorrow that, in light of his infinite love for us, most of us have little to none for him. Philippe's inclusion of the following Jeremiah 2:13 passage cracked open my heart to what had been just cognitive prior to reading this: "They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns, that can hold no water."
Another thing broken wide open for me in this chapter on the hunger and thirst for justice was Philippe's translation of "hallowed be thy name," i.e., "We express our hunger and thirst for God to be finally recognized and embraced for what he is every time we recite" that line in the Our Father. This has enlivened my praying of that line in that age-old prayer.
4) Since I usually intersperse whatever book I am reading with prayers the material brings up, this book was no different. Something I was reading reminded me of a current dilemma, distracting me from the peace of my reading--until i read this: "The first duty of a Christian is not to be perfect OR RESOLVE ALL PROBLEMS [upper case mine], but to be at peace." Better still, the chapter proceeds to describe the hows!
5) I find that many hungry-for-knowledge Christians are often eager to learn more about what is meant by that ubiquitous phrase "the kingdom." Philippe provides a beautiful take: "God's love fully reigning in our life."
6) In the final chapter on persecution for righteousness, there is some sadly moving description of current day persecutions of Christians. This is balanced by equally inspiring accounts of concurrent joy--and not just "in heaven"! I will not summarize further because it is very worth reading for one's self.
7) Finally, I want to share an astounding and impassioned passage Philippe includes as a response to those who say Christians are anti-body (from the pure of heart chapter).
"It's true Christian societies have sometimes been influenced by narrow, even negative
views of the body and sexuality, but these...are not consistent with essential biblical
revelation. Which has more disdain for the body--a religion that believes in bodily resur-
rection...the body as a member of the body of Christ, a temple of the Spirit...the body as an
instrument of...praise through song, gesture, and dance...the [body as] favored instrument of
service and charity; or is it a society in which the body is exposed naked on billboards...,
constantly used as a marketing tool, reduced to a marketable product by pornography, sex
trafficking...delivered to surgeon's scalpels in order to conform to the dictates of fashion?"

Whether you read such books to draw closer to God through learning more about him, to spark your prayer or contemplative life (the book's subtitle is "Meditation on the Beatitudes," and it truly is such), or with an open heart to see what happens, this is a book that could do it! Beyond a read, The Eight Doors provided far more than eight entries into an experiential walk with every person of the trinity. (The doors also reminded me, and in some cases resonated with, the various doors to the mansions in Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle!)

[Rick Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was Joseph Ratzinger who helped me see the Beatitudes as a "veiled Christology." Because "he who has seen me has seen the Father," the Beatitudes also "show us the true face of the Father." (8) Taking it even a step further, Father Jacques Philippe is making me think about the Beatitudes as a structure for discipleship and a paradigm for mission.

There is an absolutely essential relationship between Beatitudes and Holy Spirit and mission. (12)

To be faithful to the mission Christ entrusted to the Church, to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world," the Church must be poor, humble, meek, and merciful. (1)

The Beatitudes connect our personal spiritual formation with mission. They're a portrait of Christ, but also the portrait of the mature Christian and the way of fruitfulness. They show us "how to bear fruit that lasts, how to spread love and inspire others to true life." (15)

In his systematic discussion of each Beatitude, Father Jacques explores what the Old Testament, the New Testament epistles, and the fathers and mystics of the church have to say. He also connects each Beatitude to Jesus and suggests ways that they might manifest in our contemporary world.

I'll need to go back and read each chapter devotionally and prayerfully, but I hope that "the heart of Jesus" as expressed in the Beatitudes will become more evident in my own life.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for sharing more insight into the mystery of The Beatitudes. Our faith is powerful, and he delivers the message with conviction and wit. Looking forward to the next book, or 9th door. It will open us all up to forgiveness.

This quote brings the message home:
“Humility is essential because it is both a sign and condition of all authentic love. To love is to leave behind any pretension of self-sufficiency, all arrogance, all domination, all possessiveness, all superiority, while making oneself small before the other and embracing the other in his or her poverty and weakness. No love is true and durable except that between two poor hearts. The rich are forever in competition. Only the poor of heart know how to love and embrace each other reciprocally. God made himself poor because he is love.”

[Marcel De La Croix · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Eight Doors of the Kingdom
By Jacques Philippe
Publisher: Scepter

Jacques Philippe tells us that the Sermon on the Mount encapsulates the Law of the New Covenant. It's a collection of Jesus' teachings on Christian living & his perfection of Old Covenant moral laws. The eight doors of the Kingdom are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, meek, hunger and thirst, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers & persecuted. On the mountain: Moses brought the Law down the mountain to the people, whereas Jesus delivers his teaching to disciples who have come up the mountain. The mountain signifies the higher precepts of righteousness for the precepts given to Israel were lower. God gave lesser laws to those requiring the bonds of fear, but higher laws to those ready to be set free by love.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book written by Fr. Jacques that I've read, the others being Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart and Time for God. He has a gift in his ability to offer different perspectives on a given subject. I have some new insights into the Beatitudes that I didn't have before! I'm really glad that I've read this.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several years ago, I purchased this book and found a study guide that broke each Beatitude down and gave questions for each Beatitude to ponder and think about.

I found this book easy to read and understand. It wasn’t written in a pretentious way that made it hard to understand. It was in very inspiring.

Within the introduction came these words: “You have to empty yourself of the world so that the spirit can fill you and transform you.”

I read this book so that I can lead our next book study on this book. There are many awesome quotes and inspirations in the book. I am happy that I will be reading it again with the group and maybe pick up things I missed the first time.

[Manus maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatitudes Explained

Understanding the beatitudes yet alone living them has long been beyond me . This book by explaining the beatitudes has enabled me to ( I pray) live them a little better. For example explaining’ the pure of heart’ as someone who has decided to chose to follow Triune GOD alone has been a helpful insight.

[Dan Charnas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book with so much valuable insight about the Beatitudes and about living a better life. One of the few books that I have read that I'll be taking off the shelf and re-reading regularly. Highly recommended.

[Reuben Nuxoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate, admire and recommend Fr. Jacques Philippe, as well as this book. Though I have not read all his books yet, this seemed to be the first one that was a compilation of good but random thoughts and prayer sent to publishing rather than an organized and edited beforehand.

[Ted Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvelous book and ably tackles an intrinsically difficult teaching in a very pious, winsome manner. Will go back to again and again!

[Michele LaRouche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will definitely read again.

[Beau Robicheaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding meditation on the beatitudes, easy to read but challenging in application.

[Ryan Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful combination of theological and practical insights into the only path toward finding true, everlasting happiness.

[Ramon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need to read again

[Linda Padgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to pray with. Very transforming.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Een te zelfverzekerde auteur met een godsbeeld dat niet de mijne is.

[Jesse T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired

The most profound and enlightening explanation of the Beatitudes I have read, yet simple, accessible and filled with practical advice.

[Louise Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blessed are those who read this book for they shall be enlightened…

[Barb Ruess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved these insights - it really makes me see the beatitudes in a whole new light.

[Fr. Peter Calabrese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent spiritual reading that is both challenging and affirming. Examines each of the beatitudes as the. Fruit of and means to unity with Christ

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A excellent exploration of the beatitudes and how they should shape your Christian walk.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read by Fr. Jacques Philippe! I am always edified by his writing and insight.

[Sandra LaBrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written! Making you think more about what the Beatitudes are all about!!