The Beatitudes have been a biblical passage that I’ve never fully understood.
There have been times when I partially understand one part, and then partially understand another.
Then I question other areas, and the rest is like dust that won’t settle. It’s as if everything doesn’t quite fall into place.
I’m not referring to an intellectual understanding, but to a knowledge that includes experience.
And you, how have you dealed with the Beatitudes?
My questioning hasn’t been because I doubt them, but because I haven’t fully grasped them.
There have been times when I don’t understand the timeline, the blessedness after poverty of spirit, weeping, suffering, hunger and thirst for righteousness.
And then, the genius and mystery of Jesus says that there is also blessedness in being merciful, pure in heart, in working for peace, in being persecuted for the sake of righteousness, and for those who are falsely accused because of him.
And it wasn’t until recently that I perceived that Jesus was reminding us that wherever we are, whatever moment we are in, we are and will be blessed.
And you, can you perceive yourself as blessed in your current stage of life?
If a very close friend came to you and asked, “What is your stage of life today? How do you identify yourself?”
As poor in spirit, as someone who suffers, weeps, is persecuted, and falsely accused? Or as someone who is merciful and works for peace?
Once you can identify your stage of life, could you say (and feel) that you are blessed?
It seems as if Jesus is showing us that wherever we are, however we are, we are invited to live in blessedness.
If the Spirit leads you, share with Jesus the carpenter if you want to seek to live in blessedness in this moment of your life. And perhaps you want to receive the mystery that this implies.
Marisol
P.S.: We can hear about the Beatitudes in the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year/Cycle A.
