Jesus’ opening teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is referred to as The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are read every All Saints Day. They exemplify the active witness of disciples. Given that active witness, it is odd that the Beatitudes are inaccurately translated into the passive voice. For example, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, … Continue reading “Christian Is An Action Verb”
Tag: Beatitudes
Blessings
A man with lipstick on his collar who smelled of gin stumbled into a mostly empty church and sat next to a priest who was saying prayers in the front row. He took out a newspaper and began reading. “Shay, Father, what caushes arthritish?” The priest, none too happy with his pew partner said, “Mister, … Continue reading “Blessings”
Changing Through the Beatitudes
Jesus is changing the way we human beings can see the world and ourselves. He is overturning the hurtful values in which many of us are raised. He does so on a mountain side as he addresses a crowd. We learn we are blessed in ways we never realized. Blessed are we when poor in … Continue reading “Changing Through the Beatitudes”
What Is the Power of Our Sainthood?
Jesus’ Blessings, or Beatitudes, often go unnoticed as expressions of power (influence with). Power is contrasted with control (rule over). Jesus’ Beatitudes flow with power to release us from control. Control is the wealthy segregating themselves. Power is Jesus witnessing interdependence, “Blessed are the poor.” Control is dominating others. Power is Jesus witnessing humility: “Blessed … Continue reading “What Is the Power of Our Sainthood?”
Old and New
The longer version of this Sunday’s Gospel includes a reference Jesus made to the law. Jesus says he has not come to abolish the law and that not the smallest letter of the law would not pass away. He was not however referring to the Old Testament law of Moses. Jesus already abolished that old … Continue reading “Old and New”