Doing no harm is only the beginning

The commandments set boundaries that protect love: do not kill, do not steal, do not lie, do not use others. They are necessary, but the Beatitudes show that Jesus does not settle for a life devoted solely to avoiding faults. Being merciful is more than not taking revenge; working for peace is more than not starting a fight; being poor in spirit is more than not stealing. The Beatitudes open a positive path: giving, consoling, forgiving, seeking justice, and keeping a clean heart. They are not a program for spiritual heroes. They are lived in small daily choices that turn an "I will do no harm" into an "I will do this good." The full Christian question is not just what you must avoid today, but whom you can love in a more concrete way.