Matthew 5:1-12: The Beatitudes

1. 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 for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Jesus reinstates as “blessed” all those whom society may have brushed off or discarded. To me, the tone of his message is “No! You are not less, or bad, or unwanted, or silly – you are so much more: you are blessed!”

In our hurry or in our focus on our “to-do” lists, or in our striving to be noticed by those whose attention we feel is important, it takes but a moment to brush off or rush past other people, en route. I sense Christ saying to us, “Wait: blessed is that person, in that moment – notice that person.”

It takes a moment to acknowledge that that person in that moment is blessed. A simple pause in pace and turning to face the person deems “how are you?” so much more than a pleasantry. It acknowledges God’s blessing.

Revd Claudia Coustas