By Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D., Catholic Exchange - Beatitude, according to Webster, means perfect blessedness or happiness. But when you read the beatitudes, you seemingly find anything but. It is the poor, the hungry, the weeping and the persecuted who are blessed. In Luke’s gospel (Lk 6:20-26), Jesus even adds woes for those who are rich, full, mirthful and popular... I once heard a preacher say that many of God’s people look more liked they’ve been baptized in pickle juice than in water. Is this holiness? Is piety all about being miserable and glum? What are we to make of these alarming words of Jesus?