This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Dr. Ron Braley. This is not the opinion of the Elgin Courier.Most of us have heard of the ‘Beatitudes’ (Matthew 5: 3-11 or Luke 6:20-23). You may have even heard them read recently in liturgies. But hearing them reminded me that we may not fully understand them or the action-and-reward implications. And what is ‘blessed?’ Who are the ‘poor in spirit?’ We’ll unpack those things as we explore each beatitude, which I call “Be-Attitudes.”Some religious teachers say the blessed in the beatitudes are ‘happy people.’ In other words, ‘blessed’ means happy. For ...