Matthew 5:1-12
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. "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You Are Blessed
Blessings. What does it mean to be “blessed?” One Christmas-letter writer thought that he knew and just had to share. He wrote:
“Dear friends…
Blessings! I’m sure you have been wondering why you haven’t heard from Lucy and me lately. But let me tell you how we have been blessed. We sold the business and a made a killing on it so we took early retirement and decided to travel. What a blessing! But that’s not all… while we were at a gas station with the Lamborghini, something made Lucy buy a single lottery ticket. She won! What a blessing. It was just 50 million or so and so we have been busy trying to use it! We bought a new place in New York and little vacation spot in Maui with 12 bedrooms on the seaside – it’s great to travel there with our new yacht– we bought a new one that could carry the Lamborghini. Blessings on blessings. The kids are a great blessing too. Mary is at Harvard and Tom is at Yale. Full scholarships for both of them. Blessing on blessings. Well… I won’t keep you… got a round of golf scheduled at our exclusive club.
P.S. Hope you enjoyed that tall tale. None of it is true. Lucy and I are still in our same rundown little old house, still working, picking up a night shift when we can. The kids are having problems at school. I thought about just sending the tall tale but was afraid you might believe it and think I was made of money. But I’m not, so don’t ask. Just stop by for a cup of coffee.” - John
That little letter made me think about: What does it mean to blessed? Is being “blessed” the same as being as being happy? Does it mean success?
Later today, some of you might be watching the Superbowl. I remember the first time… and the last time… that I really paid attention to the Superbowl. While I was in college, one of our professors, Earling Jorstad, invited our class to watch the Superbowl with him. Except… he wasn’t interested in the football. He was an American studies professor and he invited us to watch the commercials with him. Superbowl commercials are super expensive. This year, a 30 second spot will cost over $5 million dollars. And they command attention. My professor argued that they also reveal a lot about what our culture deems “successful” and “beautiful” and “blessed.”
In Jesus’ sermon on the mount, he tells his disciples – and the crowd listening in – who God says is blessed. And it doesn’t look a bit like a list of people who would have been considered “successful” then or now. Instead of picking what society would call the “winners,” Jesus tells his disciples and all those listening in – including us – that the blessed are those who are " poor in spirit,” who mourn, who are meek.” He also lifts up those who are doing God’s work, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and those who are merciful, and pure in heart, and peacemakers. These are admirable people. And then, Jesus lifts up those who stand up for him and God’s children – even to the point of persecution. In Jesus’ sermon, being blessed doesn’t sound like being made happy, it doesn’t sound like winning. It sounds dangerous.
Dr. David Lose, theologian and pastor, writes in his blog that “makarios,” the Greek word translated as “Blessed,” can be interpreted as meaning “happy” or “fortunate” but it can also mean “favored by God.” We are “blessed” when we are in these difficult situations because that is when God favors us with God’s attention, caring for us.1
Jesus says God blesses, pays attention to people, not when we are full of ourselves, when we think we have the world by its tail… when we don’t think we need any help, but rather when we are “poor in spirit” that is, when we are simply at the end of our rope, feeling empty, and ready to throw in the towel. Jesus says, at those times, know this… God is with you. Whether you know it or not, you are blessed with God’s favor, with God’s attention. God’s care and concern is for you.
Likewise, when we are mourning the loss of a loved one, God is WITH US, just as God has promised to be. If we are meek, having a difficult time speaking up, then God is with us, encouraging us.
It’s not that God wants us to be sad or to be in hard situations – but Jesus knows that we will be. If we love someone… we will mourn their loss. The more we love, the more we mourn. And… even if we can give thanks that our loved one is no longer in pain or that they are in God’s care, still… we mourn our loss. I’ve been there – you have been there. And… in the midst of it…. God is there too.
God also blesses those who are doing God’s work in the world – even when it is not popular. God blesses those who challenge injustice, seeking righteousness, peace, justice and God’s way. One person can’t do it all. But joining together, we can make a difference. After all, God doesn’t limit God’s blessings.
This past year, Deacon Kirsten led us in protesting injustice right here on the corner of 42nd and Welcome. We called attention to the problems that Cherish All Children addresses – holding signs proclaiming that God does not want sexual trafficking of children. We held candles when someone was killed by gunfire. Our little corner protests and vigils maybe don’t seem like much. We got a few honks and waves. But it is a proclamation of God’s way of peace and justice rather than the world’s way of violence and injustice.
Again, it may not seem like much. But don’t discount it because I remember that what started as a little candlelight vigil in a church in Leipzig, Germany…. led to more people… and then more people… and then….the Berlin Wall came down. How did that happen? All I can say is: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
There is so much injustice in the world – then and now. We aren’t going to rid the world of it. But maybe we can do something about our corner and our neighbor’s corner. And not only that… but, knowing that God’s blessings come to those who are in difficult times, when we see someone else who feels as if God has abandoned them – maybe it is of the rawness of the pain or the emptiness of their heart and soul or because of the seeming indifference of the world to the plight of God’s hurting children… then we can be there to say: God is With YOU… God is with US… even now…especially now.
And this is why we can rejoice – even if we have tears running down our faces. Because, despite the challenges of this world and of our lives, God is with us. Jesus never promises that following him will be easy. Jesus never promises “success” or “happiness” in the way that the world defines it. But Jesus does promise a relationship with God that transcends all the kingdoms of this world. And this is why we can dare to rejoice, be glad and sing. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Pastor Pam Stalheim Lane
Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran Church
February 2, 2020
1David Lose, In the Meantime, Where Faith Meets Everyday Life www.davidlose.net