The Beatitudes

I'm spending this last week before Christmas reviewing the year. I started with my character and have got no further than the most excellent beatitudes. It's my hope that my reflections below will help you, my dear readers, learn more of this part of Matthew 5 or that you will realise your own cause for repentence or praise. In addition, I would value anyone's thoughts on my character, especially if I'm way off the mark. Commenting on this blog or sending me an email (or speaking in person!?) would be appropriate.

Matthew 5:3-10

Am I poor in spirit?

I'm not sure what this means. It might mean being tired or weak or inadequate or morally bankrupt. I have seen myself like this and I have learned that I am never much more than this.

I still need to learn that even when life is good and I'm feeling fine, I continue to be inadequate, weak and sinful and that any gifts and strength and good humour I have come from God.

If I am poor in spirit, then mine is the kingdom of heaven! This because I rely not on myself, but on God. This humility is so good and right that it 'earns' the kingdom.

Do I mourn?

Yes. If I mourn, then I will be comforted. Is this really a blessing? Yes, for I am comforted by God. It is he who is attentive, who gives me relief, peace, security, hope and he who surrounds me with caring friends. I know his love. Of course I would much prefer to experience all this without mourning, but that is not the way it has been. And while the mourning is no less awful, I am truly glad of the comfort I have received.

Am I meek?

Sometimes. I have realised how crucial meekness and humility are. Only a person who is meek will rely on their Lord and will be happy to learn from him and be changed by him. From this, all the other good parts of a person's character can grow. I want to be meek because it is right. I want to be meek because there is security in it, in putting my trust in my good God.

I need to learn to be meek when I don't understand or when I hate what is happening in my life. I need to learn to be meek when I am using the talents God has given me.

If I am meek I will inherit the earth! If I am poor in spirit and meek, I will gain the kingdom of heaven and the earth! These seemingly pathetic, effortless traits will be revealed as righteous and glorious.

Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness?

Yes, but not with my whole heart. I hunger and thirst for righteousness because I want to please God. And because I have seen that righteousness is glorious, that man has greatest dignity and nobility when he is steadfastly good. I want to be one of those people that others look up to and respect. I want to bring honour and not dishonour to my God.

I need to learn to seek righteousness not only with resolve but with passion.

If I hunger and thirst for righteousness, then I will be filled. I know this is true. God has answered my good prayers and I am becoming the person I asked to be. And this not only in my actions, but also in my heart and thoughts. I'm far from full, but I'm filling up!

Am I merciful?

Sometimes. I am becoming more merciful. I am at least remembering that I should be merciful and I sometimes pray for this. Being merciful has grown a bit easier as I have become more humble and meek.

But I have a long way to go. I need to learn to pray more fervently to be merciful. I need to learn the discipline of avoiding judging or retaliating and of pursuing mercy.

If I am merciful, then I will be shown mercy. This is a blessing indeed, and one that secured my salvation when I was never merciful. I have since been shown still more mercy by God and by others and it has been a cause of great relief and humble gratitude.

Am I pure in heart?

More so each day. My heart has grown more pure in the rightness of its emotions and desires and inclinations. Any actions that have changed for the better have stemmed from a change in my heart, from my growing love for God and people. Only with a change in heart is such change in behaviour really possible and genuine. Only a mighty God can change a person's heart.

And yet my heart keeps all sorts of pride and nastiness. Often small things, but no less ugly for their size. And it keeps its wrong tendencies and temptations and defences. All is not well.

If I am pure in heart, I will see God. Wow. When I am in heaven, pure in heart, I will see him face to face. And even now, as my heart grows more pure, I know and understand him better and I grow closer to him. I begin to see him, and he is wonderful.

Am I a peacemaker?

Sometimes. I am sometimes able to be calm and to see, and perhaps address, the cause of another's anger.

I need to learn to do this even when I get emotional, when my buttons are pushed. I need to learn to treasure harmony.

If I am a peacemaker, I will be called a son of God. Wow. This is the esteem in which God holds peace and peacemakers. This is how his own mercy and forbearance are shown to be glorious.

Am I persecuted because of righteousness?

Sometimes. My friends and family do not always understand my priorities and perspectives. They believe I am being foolish or harsh or irresponsible when I am trying to be good.

And yet they never abandon me and they support me. And sometimes they are critical because they can see my evil more clearly than I.

If I am persecuted because of righteousness, then mine is the kingdom of heaven. I prove myself worthy of the crown when I stay righteous whatever the consequences or the situation, just as the prophets did. We should look forward gladly to our great reward in heaven.