"Happy are you when . . . "

November 7, 2012      

       

 

           "Blessed are the pure in heart (perfectionists, picky and legalistic)
                                                                             for they will see God.
            Blessed are those who work for peace ("middle of the road-ers" who are criticized 
            for not taking sides)                                 for they will be comforted.
            Blessed are persecuted for doing right (go off the deep end and take a stand)
                                                                            for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
            Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice (burn with desire to see things
            made right)                                              for they will be satisfied.
            Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds
            of evil against you because of me."            Rejoice and be glad, because great is
                                                                            your reward in heaven, for in the same
                                                                            way they persecuted the prophets who
                                                                            were before you.        Matthew 5:8-12      

The Greek word “makarios” is the word translated as “blessed” or “happy”.   It’s a hard word to render correctly.  It connotes a state of “beatitude”.   It signifies a change of status from “unblessed” to the highest type of blessedness and wellness that can possibly be attained.   And this state of wellness is available to anyone!           

 

I’ve concluded that it is wrong to view the beatitudes as “to do’s”   They are not a list of attitudes to strive for so that you will be blessed by God.    They are not “be – attitudes” (if you “be” this, then good things will come about)   Actually there’s nothing “to do” at all.     Jesus is simply announcing that he has come to offer the “lost causes” and the hopeless of this world the good life.    God helps those who DON’T help themselves!

Once again, take note of the elaborations on the scriptures above and take heart that God has come to bring Good News  . . . . . yes. . . . even to you.  

“Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you!   Help me to live each day out of gratitude rather than out of poverty of spirit, guilt and the need to do, earn, deserve, merit, or perform.    Lord, your mercies are new every day.   Even for me.     Amen”