A word of warning, I will touch on what some might experience as a religious topic in this blog. But I do not think that the topic falls into the purview of any particular faith, even though I begin with references to Christian teachings. I believe the insights I learned apply to us all. Nonetheless, be forewarned.
I heard a sermon on the Beatitudes yesterday (meaning supreme blessedness). During the sermon the pastor gave us three versions of them, some traditional, some presented in current language and situations. Interestingly, she pointed out that the Beatitudes are the equivalent of the Ten Commandments in the Hebrew Bible, or what used to be titled the Old Testament. The Beatitudes are found in the New Testament which focuses on the teachings of Jesus. In contrast, the ten commandments tell us what not to do and the beatitudes inform us that in weakness and brokenness we are blessed. Instead of a negative perspective, the focus in the Beatitudes is about a positive outcome.
To refresh memories, the Beatitudes, part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, is a list of blessings for those who, in contemporary language, feel depleted or depressed, are in mourning, search for meaning and justice, and/or are insulted or persecuted by others. Also, in contrast, there are blessings for those who act with compassion for others and those who work for harmony among all.
In the past, when I thought about the Beatitudes, I thought that they were meant to teach that people including me, should act with kindness and compassion for those less fortunate, those mourning, those poor in spirit, and so on. In turn, the blessings for those downtrodden, would come from those acting with compassion and support. Truthfully, this always gave me a sense of heaviness and obligation. And I was left wondering, have I done enough, will I in the future? In contrast, today I was struck by a new understanding.
Instead of thinking that the Beatitudes speak of others, I flipped the concept around. Instead of others, we all are in one of the noted categories at particular times in our lives. We all feel depleted, depressed, in mourning, searching for meaning and purpose, or for justice at times. Hopefully we have also shown compassion and sought for harmony at times, too. I have felt all those things, been in all those places, and yes, have also shown compassion and sought for harmony at times.
Then I realized that not only do the Beatitudes speak directly to and about me, but that the crucial step that we each must take, is to acknowledge truly where we are and what we are experiencing. Above all, I note that this is crucial, because I think that if we are in denial about what we are really feeling or experiencing, if we numb it out, or distract ourselves, we keep a door closed. By acknowledging, by accepting just where we are, we become open for possibilities and, yes, in Spirit or God language, blessings.
Then there is one more turn, admitting and acknowledging and receiving relief, or blessings, we then become the bearers of compassion and peace-making for others because we can now recognize and empathize with others.
In summary, I now see the Beatitudes, these teachings, as about all of us, and as a road map for being better humans in the world and making the world a more loving and compassionate place for all.