Matthew 5:1-10 (New Revised Standard)
Sermon on the Mount
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy”.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”.
9 “ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”.
10 “ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Reflection
Blessed are you … all those who live a life that knows doubt and fear and loss and in that knowing are able to show goodness and kindness and forgiveness to others.
I might be off track but it seems to me that this is what Jesus is saying. There are some biblical translations that change blessed to happy (Good news Bible) but it seems to me that misses the point of the passage. Even in a world that makes pursuing the illusive goal of happiness a priority for being successful in this adventure called life – happiness in this context seems out of place. Jesus as a prophet proclaiming happiness doesn’t sit right.
Happiness in the place of blessed makes what he is saying seem like it is something to be pursued, but who among us would actively pursue to be poor in spirit, bereft, or even humble (meek)?
We live in a world where the Spirit is becoming increasing silent (or at least less politically correct, where loss is something to get over and humbleness is mistaken for weakness and confidence is mistaken for competence. So we have to ask is there a place for the Beatitudes today?
Okay, yes I am going to say not only is there room but I understand that these Be-Attitudes to be truly blessings that allow us to grow and deepen our humanity, our humanness, and our love.
Without these attitudes we are diminished in our capacity to do what Jesus invites us to do: follow him.
Blessed are the pure in heart.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Blessed are those who follow me
So we can see in these Beatitudes (Be-Attitudes) that they are a challenge for us but the challenge is to become a better us – not a perfect us but a better us. The challenge is not to shut down our hearts but to open them. To open our eyes and look at ourselves, then to look at others and see ourselves in them, to see ourselves through their eyes.
We are blessed to be us, to be living at this time, in this family, in this church, in this community. We make a difference. We are blessed.
We are blessed to be a blessing.
Amen
The following is The Sermon on the Mount translated by Eugene Peterson in the Message Bible using contemporary English. It gives us another idea of what the Sermon on the Mount would sound like today.
Matthew 5:1-12
You’re Blessed
5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Sermon on the Mount
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy”.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”.
9 “ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”.
10 “ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Reflection
Blessed are you … all those who live a life that knows doubt and fear and loss and in that knowing are able to show goodness and kindness and forgiveness to others.
I might be off track but it seems to me that this is what Jesus is saying. There are some biblical translations that change blessed to happy (Good news Bible) but it seems to me that misses the point of the passage. Even in a world that makes pursuing the illusive goal of happiness a priority for being successful in this adventure called life – happiness in this context seems out of place. Jesus as a prophet proclaiming happiness doesn’t sit right.
Happiness in the place of blessed makes what he is saying seem like it is something to be pursued, but who among us would actively pursue to be poor in spirit, bereft, or even humble (meek)?
We live in a world where the Spirit is becoming increasing silent (or at least less politically correct, where loss is something to get over and humbleness is mistaken for weakness and confidence is mistaken for competence. So we have to ask is there a place for the Beatitudes today?
Okay, yes I am going to say not only is there room but I understand that these Be-Attitudes to be truly blessings that allow us to grow and deepen our humanity, our humanness, and our love.
Without these attitudes we are diminished in our capacity to do what Jesus invites us to do: follow him.
- “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Without the knowledge of our own poverty and lack concerning God and the Spirit we can easily begin to close ourselves off from new ideas, experiences and people who challenge our faith and our ideas surrounding God.
- “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Without the knowledge of loss and wound and scars how could we understand the fragile nature or even the strength of the human spirit and allow ourselves to be vulnerable or strong in ourselves and with and for others.
- “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”. Without the knowledge that we are fallible, that we can be wrong, that we can make mistakes, that we can misinterpret another’s words, gestures and motives how can we treat other people fairly and justly as they deserve.
- “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Without the passion and will to pursue what is right, what is good, what is just we are lost. At the very least we should be asking the questions: What is right? What is good? What is just? And in seeking answers we have to be willing to be wrong, to fail, and to try again. I like the way scripture says we should have a hunger and thirst for righteousness. It sounds like we can be satisfied but then we get hungry and thirsty again because we notice that there are more injustices to work on, we have to strive to be more just, extend justice, move closer and closer to what is right and just and good for all God's people, everyone.
- “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy”. Without forgiveness – received and given – received and given again – we become a shamed and hardened people. It is grace that allows us to accept forgiveness for ourselves and grace that helps us to extend forgiveness to others, It is a softness of heart and vulnerability of Spirit that gives us the strength and courage to both accept and give forgiveness.
Blessed are the pure in heart.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Blessed are those who follow me
So we can see in these Beatitudes (Be-Attitudes) that they are a challenge for us but the challenge is to become a better us – not a perfect us but a better us. The challenge is not to shut down our hearts but to open them. To open our eyes and look at ourselves, then to look at others and see ourselves in them, to see ourselves through their eyes.
We are blessed to be us, to be living at this time, in this family, in this church, in this community. We make a difference. We are blessed.
We are blessed to be a blessing.
Amen
The following is The Sermon on the Mount translated by Eugene Peterson in the Message Bible using contemporary English. It gives us another idea of what the Sermon on the Mount would sound like today.
Matthew 5:1-12
You’re Blessed
5 1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
