Be Blessed!
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
The word "Blessed" is "makarios" in the Greek, and in Hebrew, "ashre." In its original usage (see Psalm 1) it meant "you're on the right road when." This is a journey text. Thus, the follower of Christ, the saints, are on the right road when he/she/they are poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hungry and thirsty for God, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. They are assured that from time to time if they live this way, they will experience disregard, dismissal and even persecution. They are invited to rejoice.These are the actions and attitudes of the saints of God. And all can aspire to them, saying, "I mean to be one too." from a mentor and friend the Rev. Bob Dannals (subscribe to his e devotions here and you will be blessed! robertsdannals@46936989.mailchimpapp.com)
What does it mean and feel like to be on the right road? Does it help to look in the rearview mirror to see where you've been? Not really. Does it help to place blame on whoever led you astray from this right road? No.
What does the right road look like? Steady, smooth, hopeful, peaceful? The road might be bumpy and circuitous, confusing and misleading, but Jesus reassures and reminds us that in the end we will rejoice because we have done the work of God, we have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith as St. Paul said in his second letter to Timothy.
And so on this day devoted to All Saints, saints of old, ones we have known in our lifetime, and all those who dwell in the Kingdom of God, let us give thanks for this journey on which together we can strive to be like the saints we have known and loved and make a difference in the Kingdom of God. "God help me to be one too!"
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