We live in what I consider an
angry society. Just look at our national
politicians and media personalities: they are constantly yelling and asserting
themselves and their beliefs over others’.
It seems as if they are incapable of sitting down and having a rational
conversation.
What a perfect time to reflect
on the refreshing attitude from Jesus in Matthew 5: 1-11: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be
comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.” There are eight of these phrases
altogether.
The person who lives this way
in their personal relationships: who decides to pray rather than to fight back,
to love rather than retaliate, and most importantly to trust in God and let Him
do the work, rather than to do it oneself, is a much happier person and a much
more pleasant person to be with.
Yes the Beatitudes are
counter-intuitive and counter cultural.
They are definitely not the way we normally think. ‘Happy are those who have no worldly
joy.’ ‘Happy are those who are
vulnerable and unable to fight back.’ ‘Happy are those who reconcile quarrels, those
who forgive and give alms.’ Suffer
wrongs patiently. Be meek.
It is not that we are called to
be passive and like a rag doll. Rather,
if we truly live the way of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) and trust
in God and do not worry, then we would not be angry and bitter. There will always be someone who disagrees
with you or who has hurt you in some way. It’s time to make the decision to love them in
return and forgive what they have done, so that their actions and poor choices
can disappear from your life forever.
That’s not passivity; that’s power.
