So often when people read the Beatitudes, they read it something like this: God gives special favor to the poor in spirit, and they are going to get God's kingdom.
But, that's not what the text says. "Blessed are" here means more along the lines of "Happy are they who...." These sentences are more of a cause and effect kind of thing. Jesus is teaching a new way of living....a way that is very opposite of what the culture of Jesus' time (and the culture of our time) proclaims. Happiness, good living, and blessings do not come from riches, power, status, possessions and the like. A blessed life comes from how we treat others....from what kind of relationship we have with God....from living the life God meant us to live---in right relationship with God and others.
When we live this kind of life, we become a light...a light that shines into the darkness. Our own darkness, but the darkness that surrounds others as well. Jesus' teaching is radical. We have heard this Sermon on the Mount so many times and in so many ways that we often miss the incredible message Jesus is telling us. Take some time to "chew on it." Gobble it in bits and really dive into how Jesus is asking us to live. Make a list. Write down these directives. What might they mean in our lives, our everyday lives? What will it mean as we live with our family, our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers, others at church, our community? This is a radical, counter-cultural way of living. How can we begin to transform and walk in this Way---the Way of our Lord? How will our actions reveal: "I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord."
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