We sometimes read The Beatitudes as Jesus’ Advice for someone else. We may think we will be blessed when the rest of the world starts living what He said and we benefit from it.
But our being blessed really begins when we choose to live Jesus’ Words.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is The Kingdom of Heaven.
How blessed we are when we are emptied enough of earth’s distractions, so we can be filled with the treasures of Heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
How blessed we are when we have loved enough to feel Love’s expansion to other places and we realize Love truly does go on forever.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
How blessed we are to notice and care for the meek, the ones no one else notices. How blessed we are to see like God, Who sees everyone. May we rejoice together as co-heirs of the earth The Lord has given us.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
How blessed we are to continue to desire all that is right in God’s Sight. How blessed we are to know He waits to fill us with His Righteousness. We need only to recognize our hunger and thirst is for Him. Nothing less will satisfy.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
How blessed we are to share The Mercy God has given us, even with those who are most unmerciful. May we forgive and be forgiven in mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
How blessed we are when we have been cleansed of all our sins. And the deep cleaning has purified us even to the depths of our heart. How blessed we are at that moment to see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God.
How blessed we are when we desire peace so much that we make it a part of our life. May we always look to The Peace Jesus gives that will always be far beyond the peace the world cannot give.
May we bring that Peace to everyone around us. May we be the conduit through which Jesus says, “Peace be with you!” And may we hear Him say to us, “And also with you!”
Blessed are you when you are persecuted for My Sake.
How blessed we are when we are not offended by those who speak or act against us as we work for The Kingdom of God.
May we rejoice, not for their acts, but because of the opportunity to pray God’s Blessings upon them. May our prayer not be that they become like us. Rather may our prayer simply be that God create in all of us pure hearts.
Create in me (and all of us) a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (and all of us).
Psalm 51:10
