Today, an encouragement to reflection. I am awed as I meditate on the Beatitudes. They tell us about kingdom life, about how a citizen in this new world lives. How easily we forget that we do not belong to this world. If you read these carefully, you’ll see that growing these heart habits will not lead to making you ‘so heavenly-minded that you’re no earthly good,” as the old saying goes. No, indeed. Try one or two. Ponder it, chew on it, ask the Spirit to help you live it. Think about how being ‘poor in spirit’ or ‘merciful’ or ‘mournful’ (of your sin, of the brokenness of this world) will change the way you live in your story today and season others with the salty taste of grace.
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 be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
