Musical Prelude and Service.

Matthew 5:1-12
“Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are those who hunger for
justice.”
What is Jesus telling his followers as they take in this introduction into his sermon on the Mount?
The sermon actually goes on for the next few chapters of Matthew.
This list of people who are blessed is the subject of countless sermons delivered over the millennia.
I have listened to a few and delivered a few of my own.
One thing I have noticed is a number of people using them as a guide toward finding genuine
happiness. You know a caution about looking for happiness in material or temporary things such as
money, houses, popularity, and so on. That it is only in a genuine and committed relationship to God
that you will find ongoing happiness.
Now. Let’s be clear, I don’t necessarily disagree with the overall idea behind those messages. We
need to be careful where we seek our sense of self and happiness. If we pursue happiness through
social standing, wealth or property, we are setting ourselves up for troubles and likely unhappiness.
Yes, we should aim to live in right relationship with God and the people and the world around us,
but I don’t think that is what the Beatitudes is actually about.
The beatitudes is in part a reassurance for the people Jesus is talking to. It is estimated that
Matthew’s gospel was written sometime around 70 or 80 CE. That is in the aftermath of the Jewish
rebellion against Rome. It is following the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the second temple.
It comes in the shadow of terrible and violent reprisals by the empire. Economic devastation is
rampant. Oppression is severe.
I doubt very much any of the people reading or hearing this gospel were feeling blessed. And in that
moment, they hear Jesus say…
‘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.’
As I have reflected on this passage of scripture, not just this past week, but repeatedly over the
years, my views on it keep shifting and clarifying. This really is one of those passages that I think
speaks differently, depending on where you are in your life.
But right now what I am left with, is the idea that Jesus is speaking to people; or Matthew’s gospel is
directed to people who are really wondering where God is in their lives. As they suffer through
poverty, isolation, oppression and the constant presence of violence, they must be asking themselves
and anyone willing to listen, how am I possibly blessed considering how lousy my life is right now?
And the answer is you are absolutely blessed right now. God is right there with you. You may not see
it right now, but God is right here, and God is preparing a place for you in the world that is coming.
All this is temporary. What God promises is not.
Along those lines, I think we can sometimes find ourselves looking at the people around us who
seem to have their act together. Who seem to be leading charmed lives and feel more than a little
envious. We can view those people who show up for events dressed well; hair is perfect; everything
seemingly organized and think, they are living blessed lives. Meanwhile here am I hoping I could find
a pair of matching socks and wishing I had a new belt.
I can’t help but look at this passage again and think it is directed to those of us who are struggling to
hold everything together. Those of us who feel like we are constantly making things worse, who
seem to break things we simply look at, who are afraid to speak to a subject for fear of causing
further damage. God sees you and hears you and knows your heart.
God is not looking for those who are perfect. God is not seeking to work through those who have it
all together. God is walking among the frazzled and distracted multitudes looking for new recruits to
a movement of love and compassion and justice.
Jesus begins his ministry along the shores of the Galilee, talking to poor and powerless fishermen,
labourers and farmers and women. He preaches to and calls those who the rich and powerful only
see in terms of their ability to create more wealth for the wealthy.
One of the other passages of scripture for today is a passage from the prophet Micah. It is a popular
one among the United Church of Canada:
Micah 6:1–8 – God Challenges Israel
Hear what the Lord says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for the Lord has a controversy with his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
‘O my people, what have I done to you?
In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you from the house of slavery;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.’
What God Requires
‘With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
God is not seeking extravagance. God is not seeking perfection or wealth. God is looking for us to
desire just and loving relationships. God is pursuing justice and for us to recognize that we are not
better than our neighbour. We are not more deserving of love and attention than those we
encounter. But neither are we less deserving of these things. We are part of God’s world. We are not
alone, and we are not forgotten.
We are called to work with God. To recognize that we are blessed and called to be part of God’s work
to create something new and wondrous. We are beloved, we are blessed, and God has set a place for
us in the world to come. May we recognize how we are blessed to be a part of its creation.
Thanks be to God. Amen
Blessings
Rev. Warner Bloomfield

 

 

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789