Thursday, September 17, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Matthew 5:1–10
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NRSV)

Reflection
The Beatitudes are one of the great wrestling grounds in scripture for me. I remember wondering if I could win an athletic competition while being “meek,” not wanting to spend my life “mourning,” and I couldn’t reconcile why I would strive to lead a faithful life only to be “poor in spirit.” St. Augustine called the Beatitudes the ideal for every Christian life! I agree and felt there was no chance of me ever being “blessed.”

As I reflect on the Beatitudes today, I feel that I’ve been living in a world of “thou shall not” phrases and under a laundry list of evils that I must avoid in my daily life. As I contemplated this juxtaposition to the Beatitudes, I was struck anew by the contrast with Christ’s radical message. In the Beatitudes, Jesus shows me the path for transforming my inner person in a positive sense through leading a virtuous life and promises me salvation—not in this world, but in the next.

In this world, I am saddened by how far I fall short of what St. Augustine described as the “ideal for every Christian life” and by today’s state of humanity when looked at through the lens of the Garden of Eden. Yet in the Beatitudes, Christ lays out a road map for us in a series of “ideal human condition” and “resulting outcome” statements. I take comfort in this: Christ standing in the gap for all of humanity, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and my friends at Fourth Church.

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the love in Christ made known, the road map for humanity in his teachings, and my friends at Fourth Church, who help to light the path in the name of the One you sent to give us abundant life. Amen.

Written by Douglas Pond, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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