THE BEATITUDES (continued)
- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Eight outwardly simple statements by the Master that are generally misunderstood by the world. We have discussed for the last several days each of these in some detail and there is so much more that still could be said. Some additional points will come out in this summation and so let us continue.
Remembering that these Beatitudes are just that, blessings pronounced by Jesus to those who find it within themselves to qualify. Looking at the wording, it comes to mind that they who do the precepts of each of these is entitled to the blessing that He announces as the reward; so we are blessed because we get the Kingdom of Heaven and blessed because we shall obtain mercy. Now this is not contrary to our previous presentation of being blessed and getting a reward but it does speak more clearly. We are still blessed and we still do get the reward; blessed in getting it.
From the outset we spoke of the problems with language usage and with translational differences to try to show that the modern understanding of a word is not necessarily what it meant when these words were written nor when they were translated. Meek is a grand example as is righteousness; the meanings of each have changed over time as the world has grown smaller and more secular. To this effect we must always added the fact that some things are intentionally unclear from the Master’s perspective. He spoke in terms that could be understood on many levels and also in words and phrases that could not be readily understood by those who do not have open hearts. His own statements regarding those hearing and not hearing what He was really saying reflect the purposefulness with which He spoke. As example, after speaking about the Baptist to the multitudes that had gathered He said: “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25) also when He says at various points throughout the gospel “He that hath ears to hear , let him hear“. These, plus others already cited should point out clearly that not all who see or who hear or who read do so with a right understanding of what He meant.
With this in mind, the language issue and the intentional ambiguity of what He said, we should not be at all surprised that there are so many interpretations of so much that He did say. There is only one truth but we all see it from our own perspective and it is only if our perspective is that spiritual one that He speaks of that we will see these things the way they were intended. So, let us go through the eight Beatitudes once more. Ponder what it is that I say to see if it works from your perspective and your place in spiritual life. Remembering the words of John “the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 John 2:27). The same Spirit of God is in us all and if we can listen and hear (by doing His words and dwelling in His Presence) we can all understand what it is that He really said and, though it may be different, one person to another, it will not be contradictory but revelatory of some additional meaning.
◊Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that have given up all for the Master and for the Kingdom. Those who have made the Kingdom the focus of their life and their treasure and have forsaken not only the longing for material things but also wrong attitudes and feelings and have put their trust in the Lord. They have made the Kingdom the most important thing and they shall have it.
◊Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that are striving, as the Master told us to do, to enter into the Kingdom but who are sometimes thwarted by outer realities in their lives. Their path is a struggle and they mourn the fact that they have not reached their goal. They shall be comforted in their struggle and, in their sorrow and their grief, know that the goal will be reached through their constant effort.
◊Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that live and act in positive harmlessness; who react to all things in a calm and peaceful manner through understanding that the outer world is just that and that we are Spirit and above all things Earthly. Those who react as did Christ by turning the other cheek (both literally and figuratively) and by forgiving all. Their inheritance will be control over all things of the Earth…real dominion.
◊Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are they that strive to enter the Kingdom; that long for it and pursue it and who seek the Kingdom first and His righteousness. For whom this is their life’s quest, their striving and longing and seeking shall result in finding the Kingdom and to being filled with its righteousness. To be in His Presence.
◊Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are they that truly love their brother. They who recognize the unity of our brotherhood with all; who recognize the inner divinity of each person and realize the sameness that we all have as children of the One Father. And who, in this realization, give all that they can to the assistance of their brothers in word, in respect and in sustenance. The reward of acting as such is to receive the same from the Lord and the world.
◊Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are they that attain that lofty status of purity of heart. Those who truly love the Lord and keep His words. Those who have overcome the poorness of giving all; those who have overcome the mourning and sorrow and continued on the path; those who with meekness of heart have overcome the nature of daily life; those who have strived and reached the strait gate and can enter, those who show mercy and respect to all. These are the pure in heart and their reward is being in His Presence for ever more.
◊Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that see the reality of life on Earth and recognize our essential unity and who, from this spiritual perspective, work for peace in our time. And this through prayer and meditation and through promoting peace and brotherhood through their actions and words and by supporting others who work for peace. These shall be seen as and called the children of God by those above and those below.
◊Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that endure the self persecution and the feeling of loss because they are not living the worldly life. And they too who are scoffed at for doing right all the time. Righteousness is a habit that says that we don’t do as the world does. No cheating and no lying and keeping all the laws will get you mocked at times. If this is your lot, either inwardly or outwardly and you endure, then you have arrived at the strait gate and can enter for righteousness precludes all else if it is from the heart and for God both the inner God and the Father of all.
Eight Beatitudes, what do they mean to you.
Note on the Quote of the Day
This daily blog also has a Quote of the Day which may not be in any way related to the essay. Many of these will be from the Bible and some just prayers or meditations that may have an influence on you and are in line with the subject matter of this blog. As the quote will change daily and will not store with the post, it is repeated in this section with the book reference and comment.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Keeping this quote for today as well! As said yesterday this is the key; it is the key to all success in spiritual life as well as life in this world if it is to be a life that is free from sorrow and despair. In this world we want; that is our nature and we are motivated by many desires to have and to be and to do. Not having what we desire brings sorrow and getting our desires many times brings despair and the desire for more or for different. Making the Kingdom of God our first desire puts all others into their proper place in our hearts and minds and we find peace. Would that it were that easy.
