Those Persecuted for Righteousness 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 … Continue reading Those Persecuted for Righteousness
Category: Spirituality
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the Peacemakers Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 When I think of a peacemaker, I think of someone with a gift for easing tension, for working through differences, and for finding a way to bring together people with diverse beliefs and goals. When I was … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers
The Pure in Heart
The Pure in Heart Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 This Beatitude raises two questions for me: What does it mean to be pure in heart, and what does it mean to see God? Is it even possible to become pure enough in heart to be able to … Continue reading The Pure in Heart
Blessed are the Merciful
Blessed are the Merciful Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Matthew 5:7 As with a number of the other Beatitudes, this one seems almost too trivial for serious discussion: that those who show mercy will receive mercy in return. It is another in a long series of illustrations of the law of … Continue reading Blessed are the Merciful
Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:5 I wish to consider three parts of this passage. First, what does it mean to hunger and thirst for something? Second, what is righteousness? Finally, in what way and with what is one filled? … Continue reading Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Blessed are the Meek
Blessed are the Meek Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 Among the modern-day synonyms for meek are timid, docile, passive, spineless, resigned, and weak. I suspect the definition of meekness has softened from what it meant in Jesus’ day, and here is why: One of Jesus’ most frequent instructions … Continue reading Blessed are the Meek
Those Who Mourn
Those Who Mourn Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 The second of the Beatitudes seems almost too obvious to warrant serious consideration, that those who mourn will be comforted. If it were so obvious, why would Jesus bother to say it? Perhaps the answer, as is so often the … Continue reading Those Who Mourn
The Poor in Spirit
The Poor in Spirit Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 The first Beatitude of Jesus tells us the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit. As he so often does, Jesus mixes metaphors in a way that many will reject as nonsense. For others, … Continue reading The Poor in Spirit
Rejoice and Be Glad
Rejoice and Be Glad Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. Matthew 5:12a As this series on What Did Jesus Say continues, I will begin reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount, as found in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. This is one of the longer of Jesus’ discourses recorded in … Continue reading Rejoice and Be Glad
By Bread Alone
By Bread Alone Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you … Continue reading By Bread Alone
Contemplating Grace 