The First Discourse in Matthew: The Beatitudes

This year begins Year A on the liturgical calendar, centered on the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew, Jesus gives five discourses - five authoritative speeches. Between now and Lent, we'll go through and pray through the first two, and after Lent start again with the last three.

 The first discourse is from The Sermon on the Mount.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ~ Matthew 5:1-12


“Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light.” ~ Groucho Marx


We tend to view the word "blessed" as something that makes us happy or fortunate. Often something we say we are thankful for.

In that context, it's really hard to see how those who are poor or hungry or in mourning or persecuted are blessed.

But the Biblical definition of blessed turns Jesus words into ones that make a little more sense to me. Blessed as in holy.

Holy meaning set apart or sacred.

Holy, sacred, are you when you are poor or in mourning or hungry or persecuted.

Set apart are you when you are meek or merciful or a peacemaker or pure in heart.

Blessed because God sees you. Is with you. Sees you as sacred, even if the world doesn't see you as sacred.

Gives your honor, and as set apart, gives you preference.

God's preference for the downtrodden doesn't take away God love for the rest of creation.

But God's preference for the downtrodden gives them hope in a way that the world has not.

And gives us a way to bless them as well.
Prayer: Help me to see the holiness in those who I might be missing. 








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