HEATHERLAND

Also known as #lentphotoaday April 10 “BLESSED.”

I’m going to go a little bit of a different route on today’s word, and focus on the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are a set of eight blessings recited by Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel (5:3-12) and four in Luke’s Gospel (6:20-23). I def had to Google that.

As a core part of the Sermon on the Mount, I grew up hearing these words. Beautus is Latin for “Happy” or “BLESSED.” Basically, these are the qualities based on those who belong in Heaven. Whoof. Tall order?

To be “poor in spirit” means to acknowledge ones deepest human need for God and to grow into that longing and that dependence on a daily basis. You kind of have to want it. And know you want it. You could be walking around out there, all “poor in spirit”, but are you poor if it’s not even on your radar? But it’s like God has your back anyway. He’s holding down the fort for if, and when, you want to spiritually grow. I happened recently have my “Aha” moment and now I am here for it.

Mourning. Oof. The Bible reminds us that death is not the end, and that mourning is temporary. This is where faith of knowing our loved ones are in a better place and that we will hopefully see them again comes in, and it’s quite the multi-layered concept. After basically two years of shock, I am settling into my mourning and grief of my father. It’s every day with me. It’s always me hoping that he has a beautiful spot in Heaven, he is watching over us and he is waiting to see us again. Sometimes, when I hear myself talk about these feelings, I feel like I have the spirituality of a 9 year old. And I am ok with that. Works for me.

In Bibleland, meek does not equal weak. No sir. It’s not about being passive, shy and timid. It’s about humility, gentleness and patience. I find it hard to stay obedient in a political climate that has us in a chokehold. If I stay quiet, if I don’t fight back, if I let them walk all over me, am I weak or meek? I think it’s more strength of control. I argue with the concept that we need to submit without resistance when facing our chaotic national crisis, but spiritually, I feel it easier just to relent.

OK, Google AI, I see you. “In the context of Matthew 5:6, ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness‘ signifies a deep, passionate desire for what is morally right and just, a yearning for a relationship with God and a life that reflects His character, which is a spiritual need that, when fulfilled, brings true satisfaction.” I mean, I feel like I am going back to SCHOOL here. So, I see this as a call to action. We get hungry so we eat and we get thirsty so we drink. Hunger and thirst for righteousness is longing spiritually for growth and connection to God. Feed it and you come closer to living a life that feels worthy.

Mercy seems to be like a BBF of grace. Mercy is often expressed through the pardon of sins, second chances, forgiveness. I LOVE the word grace and the whole concept of it. It’s really one of my favorites. God’s unearned favor and kindness is such a beautiful thing to me because so many of us are so darn hard on ourselves. Knowing that there is just a simple hug out there for you when you can’t hug yourself is everything. The Bible starts strong with mercy when God forgives Adam and Eve. Then he heads over and forgives the Egyptian slave delivery of Israelites. Let’s not forget the actual sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity.  It might be a hard sell to think that we are encouraged to be nice to our enemies, to forgive those who hurt us and to give to them without getting back. We can strive to give people what they need and not what they deserve. Let the big guy take care of that. That’s what he does with us.

My goodness, could we use a good peacemaker right now. I can’t help but to keep on referring to the big conflict, the big elephant in the room as our nation in crisis. It seems too lofty a request to try to find someone, a few, a gaggle of peacemakers to help pull us out of this shitstorm. When I am overwhelmed with the bigness of something like this, I have a panic attack, cry and then I break it down. How can I find peace in this moment to make me feel better? To make the ones I love feel more peaceful? Quite apparently these days, I’m going with God for 500, Alex. Where are our Ghandi’s, Mother Teresa’s, Martin Luther King’s? Our Desmond Tutu’s, Dali Lama’s, John Lennon’s? No seriously. Where are they. Someone point them out to me. I don’t think we fully really knew they trying to peace out the world until after the fact? I mean, we all knew that MLK was doing brave, great and powerful things. Mother Teresa, hello. Ghandhi, pfft obviously. I don’t know if we can pinpoint a champion right now. So I go to God. And Dr. Heather Cox Richardson for a daily health fact-based update of our democracy. You go girl.

And finally, we can address righteous persecution, also know as faith under pressure. One can lead a good life, have good morals, honor God and his ways, and you get beat up for it. Prophets Elijah and Jerimiah were God-shamed for sure. Elijah stuck to his guns and was rewarded by getting a sweet ride to Heaven in a fiery Chariot. Jeremiah, as known as “The Weeping Prophet”, tried to warn Israel of the consequences of broken covenants, but nooooo they wouldn’t listen. He was an empath, for sure. He was also super hard on himself. But he had courage and he stuck with his convictions, even when his own family bailed on him. He put in a lot of effort and he didn’t get to see those results, just a lifetime of bullying. But it was the impact of his lifetime deeds that God and generations after used to as an example of perseverance in ministry.

Love you.