Beatitudes In Our Time: A Reflection

“The times they are a-changin” (Bob Dylan, 1964). Indeed, they certainly are in the social, economic, and political arenas, to name just three!  There is much disruption and upheaval, not only in the U.S. but throughout the world. We feel overwhelmed and divided, uncertain about what to do, or what ground we should even stand on to formulate a response.  Poll after poll seemingly confirms that in our current social divisions “never the twain shall meet.”

With this blog we introduce a new monthly series drawing on what are commonly called the Beatitudes in the Christian scriptures. Our aim is to take a tour of these counter-intuitive teachings of Jesus, looking into what they might mean and how they might ground us in uncertain times such as our own. We will be sharing how we have encountered them in our personal lives, and in the process hope to stimulate reflection and even discussion on how these blessings might help “the twain meet.”

For example, one beatitude says, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”  I have often thought of myself and been seen by others as a peaceful person.  While sometimes I do serve to mediate informally and to bring a certain peacefulness to a conversation or situation, I also recognize that I can avoid necessary challenge, avoid saying hard things that need to be said, or avoid conflict even when that allows the problem to fester.  What does it mean for me to be a “peacemaker”?  Indeed, what is “peace” in the midst of differences of perspectives, experiences, beliefs, and values?  And in our current  social divisions? These are not easy questions or ones with ready answers, for me or, I expect, for you.

The Gospel Context: The Sermon on Mount

Beatitudes are found in two places in the Christian scriptures: Matthew 5:3-12, and Luke 6:20-26.  These Beatitudes are only one segment of a larger set of teachings of Jesus, known as the Sermon on the Mount.  The Beatitudes may be central to Jesus’ teachings but are not the entirety of them.  And even the Sermon is in the context of the whole of the Christian and Hebrew scriptures.  For example, Jesus, drawing on specific texts from the Hebrew scriptures, summarizes the whole of the “law” (or God’s desire for our way of acting and being) as “Love God with all you’ve got, and your neighbor the same way” (my paraphrase). 

Multiple interpretations

The Beatitudes have been explored in depth by commentators and biblical scholars and you may want to find and dig into some of these on your own.  You will find that the interpretations and meanings ascribed to these teaching vary widely, perhaps reflecting the reality of the multilayered truths held in these teachings.  For example, some interpret the Beatitudes as virtues: it is good to cultivate meekness, or peace-making — you will be blessed when you do.  Others take a more radical approach — no matter what your state, whether mourning or hungering — you are blessed; God is with you no matter what.   It is not our intention to add another such interpretation, but to share with you our own engagement with these texts and invite your personal exploration.

Even in the Christian scriptures, the two versions (Matthew and Luke) have slight variations that indicate the different perspectives of these two gospel writers.  Matthew phrases them with a more inward, introspective focus (“Blessed are the poor in spirit … “) whereas Luke take a more outward perspective (“Blessed are you poor … “).  Clearly Jesus’ hearers heard them both ways (and perhaps in other ways as well).

As original written texts were in Greek, the English versions we read are translations.  These translations can cast different tones on our understanding as well. For example, what is most commonly translated as “blessed” can also be understood in translation to be “happy” or “fortunate,” among other things.  “Fortunate are you [who are] poor…” has a different feel for me than “Blessed are you [who are] poor…”.  I find it more jarring, harder to accept. 

What is most deeply true has a way of finding its way into the sacred scriptures of multiple faith traditions.  This is true of the Beatitudes as well as such teachings as The Golden Rule.  Where we are able, we will bring in texts from other faith traditions that affirm, expand, or cast a different and useful shade of meaning on these teachings expressed in the Beatitudes. 

Counter cultural

Perhaps what makes the Beatitudes so compelling, and the focus of so much interest, is how radically counter cultural they are.  They tend to turn accepted cultural norms on their heads.  In their wording they acknowledge pain and brokenness, sorrow and hunger, persecution and conflict; and these are not just recognized as common human experiences but are called “blessed.”  This is not what we tend to think or want.  They echo other sayings of Jesus, such as “the last shall become first,” and those who lead shall do so by becoming servants.

All of this suggests that there is a deeper gift, grace, or wisdom to be found in these sayings, but it takes some wrestling with the teaching to uncover what it may mean for us – collectively and individually.  And this is the quest of our blogs.

A Personal Perspective: Ours and Yours

Our aim, then, is to share our own personal engagement with these Beatitudes, and to invite your own reflections.  Thus, we will invite you, as you dig into our blogs on the Beatitudes, to wrestle with each of them out of your own life context and experiences and out of the broader societal context in which we find ourselves in these times.  Bring to them your own questions; argue with them until they yield up their treasure for you.

Pause and Reflect

So now, in that very spirit, we invite you to pause and reflect on what you have read here and what is stirring in you:

• Find and read through a version of the Beatitudes (Matthew or Luke) and pay attention to which one or ones catch your attention more that the others.

• What are the feelings that arise as you read and re-read this (these) beatitude?

• In what ways does it resonate with you and your experience, and in what ways do you question it?

• What might be a deeper layer of understanding beneath the surface words?

• How might the beatitude provide a ground or basis for your way of being and of acting in the current social and political climate?

• Is there some personal invitation to you that arises through your reflection on the beatitude?

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