The Beatitudes
One of Jesus’ most famous speeches was made on a mountain side. In it, he mentioned the Beatitudes. Some have interpreted these as the ‘BE attitudes’, but, in truth, they derive from the Latin beatus, which means ‘blessed’ or ‘happy’. Thus, we have a list of what should make people ‘happy’ and what they will receive for their happiness. At first glance, these conditions don’t seem to be a path to happiness, until we notice the promise is not for this life, but the next. I thought today we might look at little closer at these.
- Happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven
This is asking how humble you are – both physically and spiritually. Are you judgemental towards others? Do you place value on people because of what they look like or how much they earn? Do you boast about what you have or think you are better or superior to others? Do you covet possessions, or see what you have as an opportunity to do good in the world?
- Happy the gentle; they shall have the earth for their heritage
This is often stated as the ‘meek’ but the Greek word the Gospel uses is closer to the word ‘gentle’. This asks us to bear insults graciously and to counter them with goodness and patience. Do you rage at misunderstandings, slanders, and falsehoods? Are you impatient with those who have a different opinion or fail to see your point? When we do, it is us that fall short, not them!
- Happy those who mourn; they shall be comforted
Perhaps the most paradoxical – how are those mourning, happy? This word, containing our mortal ideas of loss, is about lamenting. I know I lament for a loss of community and understanding in the world, and I fear for a world that continues to divide in self-interest rather than come together in unity. In lamenting, ask, “how can I create comfort now for the world and those who mourn?”
- Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right, they shall be satisfied
Think what desperation is in the words ‘hunger’ and ‘thirst’ – this is desperate and emotional, an almost uncontrollable urge towards what is right! Again, the Greek word here is a double barrel, indicating what is right for humanity, i.e. justice, and what is right for God, or righteousness. This is the crux of the 10 Commandments and what Jesus taught – love one another and love God. Do I hunger and thirst or am I more talk and less action, more instructional than witness for others?
- Happy the merciful; they shall have mercy shown them
Am I merciful, even towards those who I deem as being unworthy of mercy? This is what is meant here, and it is not a new idea. The Our Father contains the lines ‘Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us!’ How many of us forgive? How many hold a grudge even though we profess to forgive? How many are willing to see another person’s perspective and try to be empathetic towards them? This is what it means to be merciful!
- Happy the pure in heart; they shall see God
This is the one I know I fall short on. Yes, it is about following ethics and morality, being a good person and, in a religious sense, being obedient to the Lord and his commandments. But it is also about doublemindedness and simplicity. Are my intentions always pure and good? Do I have ulterior motives? Am I person of integrity? In other words, does my internal match my external?
- Happy the peacemakers; they shall be called children of God
These are not the peace-talkers or the peace-wishers, but the peacemakers. Am I a voice of reason in the chaos and confusion of the world, or do I add my own noise to the cacophony around me? Do I choose the path of understanding and patience or that of impatience or anger? Spiritually, these are those who try to reconcile others to God and to one another. Do I look to heal or break things apart? I think we could learn a lot about peacemaking if we greeted one another with the Jewish greeting of ‘Shalom’ (“Peace be with you”) and actually meant it!
- Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right; theirs is the kingdom of heaven
When you know you are doing the right or good thing, it shouldn’t matter what others think! Yet, sometimes it is really hard to do the right thing in this world – it is often easier to go with the flow and not draw attention to ourselves. This beatitude is often about moving from self-serving and preservation to taking on the causes of justice and goodness for all – not just ourselves. Tragically, in our world, this can lead to mistrust and persecution because it is so counter-cultural to what our society tells us should be our main focus – ourselves! What are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of good? Would you do the right thing no matter what the consequence?
The astute of you will realise the result of the eighth beatitude (theirs is the kingdom of heaven) is the same as the first, and so we come full-circle. This is all about the kingdom, what we must do to inherit eternal life. Which poses a really important reflection for us all…
Picture yourself on that mountain side listening to Jesus talk about who was bound for heaven – it is all those who possess these qualities. Now listen to each category as it comes from his mouth – the poor in spirit, the gentle, the lamenters, the justice hunters, the merciful, the pure, the peacemakers, the persecuted. How many do I embody? Where do I fall short? What can I do to resolve this? It is a sobering thought when you truly ask whether you would be included in this list!
Jesus has one last part, which is almost a repeat of eight. “Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account.” Loving God and not hiding it can be hard in this world, and I think it is a sad state of affair that many feel the need to hide their faith from others, scared of what they might think or say. I get it – I have been there on many occasions – and it never gets easier. But you learn by Jesus’ teachings in the beatitudes when someone rages against the faith – you become gentle, merciful, humble and a peacemaker. If I am honest, I also mourn a little that they are upset by it all. The message should always be about love, and this is why Jesus’ last words are:
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven…
Dr Nathan Leber
