29 Jan SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2023

What do you think of when I say the word, “consolation”? By definition, it means comfort received after disappointment or loss. When I think of a consolation prize, I envision small tokens given to game show contestants after one winner is declared.

Once dashed hopes of winning big sink in, at least they haven’t gone home completely empty handed. Is that what the beatitudes are? Consolation prizes for those who don’t win big while on earth so that at least when they get to heaven, they aren’t completely empty handed? Beatitudes are really words of blessing, a consolation for those not feeling like grand-prize winners or grand in any way, for that matter. 

Indeed, everything that’s happened to them mentions insults, injury or some curse. Who in their right mind ever desires to find themselves described as: poor in spirit, in the state of mourning, as being meek which means: quiet, gentle, easily imposed upon, in other words, submissive? Certainly not an “A” type personality, a Type 1 on the Enneagram, or anyone else who prides themself on independence, as I sometimes do. 

In the Book of Matthew, the Beatitudes fall into the category of teaching and in Matthew, Jesus’ authority and ability to teach are equal to his ability to cure disease, forgive sin, and heal every sickness. Is it possible that Jesus considered those who always choose the route of independence or constantly strive to protect themselves by maintaining control are in need of teaching? 

Maybe so. In my experience, always choosing the route of independence or constantly striving to maintain control does lead to deprivation. Perhaps that’s why throughout life and especially with advanced age, everyone sooner or later experiences what it’s like to have abilities taken away and be led to increasing dependence upon others. 

As a kid, I read every label I could find, whether it was inside the home or on something in the garage. So I remember noticing new appliance labels that said, “No serviceable parts inside. Do not attempt to loosen screws or remove cover. Call a professional for repair.” The message of these labels was new. They didn’t only contain safety warnings. They were gradually teaching consumers of their ignorance and limitations.

Not a day goes by where we’re not reminded of our limitations. Seems we can never drive as we please, go or do whatever whenever. With every purchase, we’re encouraged to buy an extended warranty, seek tech help or visit a local service provider when problems arise. Technology itself advances so rapidly comprehension of how stuff works is already beyond most of us. 

Acknowledging our limitations involves becoming poor in spirit, mourning loss, and accepting the need for our submission quietly and gently. Unless we decide to not be grand, we won’t be able to receive what Jesus offers: the kingdom of heaven, comfort, and inheritance of the earth. 

Those who already are this way, who feel poor in spirit, are mourning loss, or have accepted a position of submission quietly and gently are already blessed. I envision people like my mom, my dad’s friend Carolyn, and my husband Steve will be far ahead of me in line to receive blessings in heaven. Each has demonstrated years of quiet, willing submission in the company of others. 

Let’s look at the next characteristic. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Matthew’s gospel stresses that righteousness belongs to God alone. It’s unachievable through human effort. I don’t know about you, but when I think of hunger and thirst, pizza and a cold drink come to mind. As far as cravings go, people seek all kinds of things. How about you? What fills your craving? When’s the last time you hungered or thirsted for God’s righteousness?

Satisfying hunger or thirst for God’s righteousness may involve prayer, listening to music, reading, talking or watching life unfold. God’s righteousness may also be experienced through parts of worship put in place for that very reason: during confession and forgiveness, an exchange of greeting or God’s peace, singing hymns, reciting psalms, hearing God’s word, making an offering, receiving communion or a final blessing. Any of these offer the experience of God’s righteousness and can fill us.

The next three traits are rare, but not unheard of in humans: being merciful, pure in heart or a peacemaker. They will receive mercy, see God, and be called God’s children. The prophet Micah reminded God’s people to, “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly.” Sometimes people can be or do those things but most of the time, it just isn’t so. Doing good deeds or chasing after those who do wrong seems to make humans walk not so humbly. 

Lately, Steve and I have been watching a series called, “Accused: Guilty or Innocent.” After just a few episodes it was clear that justice has little to do with holding the right people responsible. It has more to do with naming a person guilty, focusing on the worst crime and excusing other people’s bad deeds, punishing the most obvious person and thinking that’ll make things right when often it destroys more lives for a longer time period than the original crime committed.   

The Beatitudes make things right. They teach that God deals justly: honestly, fairly, proportionately, according to what people deserve or need. God rarely relies on punishment to teach. Instead, Jesus heals, offers words of wisdom, gives advice and delivers consolation. Jesus promises that God sees every victim and forgets no one. 

The Beatitudes make things right.

To those who hurt or have been hurt, Jesus brings comfort. Justice is a remedy prescribed by God for the wounded or sick whose aim is consolation and a measure of peace. Sin, like crime, is evil business. Those caught by it and in it get overwhelmed by the amount of wrongdoing in the world, but God does not.  

Imagine the kind of desperation that leads an innocent person to accept the status of “convicted felon” in order to avoid undeserved jail time. Through “plea deals” the court system is alleviated of over half its docket; many citizens with no prior criminal history are forced into years of supervised probation, a condition easily violated while going about normal activity afforded most adults. 

The Beatitudes remind us that Jesus is all about helping people move on after misfortune deals its blow. Justice will be served. Those persecuted for the sake of God’s righteousness will be compensated. 

Were I falsely accused or imprisoned, I would not graciously receive Jesus’ message of delayed compensation. I’d want immediate satisfaction, printed retractions of any slander and a huge settlement for mishandling my personhood. Even for God’s sake, if I was ever in the place of a defendant: forced to listen to false opening statements spoken in a reviling way: criticizing, abusive, angry, insulting, I would lose it. Were I to be treated like a ne’er-do-well because of one big mistake, I would become enraged at the outrage. After a lifetime of doing good or being treated poorly, how would you feel if the tables turned and you were suddenly persecuted?

Would you want to hear, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven?” Has anyone ever trapped working for less than a living wage found solace upon hearing, “in the same way others before you were persecuted? Cheer up. Endure. Compensation comes in the next life.”

Not really. Such conditions gave birth to the Liberation Theology movement. In the 1960’s Latin American Roman Catholics sought to apply religious faith to aid and free the poor from social, political, and economic oppression, a goal shared by Lutherans to involve every believer in political and civic affairs to combat poverty and social injustice. 

Only God’s righteousness can make us capable of sharing other people’s feelings and putting ourselves in their place. My prayer is that the beatitudes will give you attitude. That they will help you realize that mere words do not alleviate the pain of those truly hurting, that projecting compegivnsation to the hereafter is cruel if something can be done now. That’s what Jesus does: bringing about change, healing, and other real opportunities for the kingdom of God to grow on earth. 

My prayer is that the beatitudes will give you attitude.

While talking with the director of the Halifax Youth Center about our church’s willingness to offer grocery store gift cards every month to families at her discretion, she replied, “This will be a very welcome blessing.” She may well have said, “Blessed are those in need, who wait upon God when they can do little else, who have no expectation of relief and receive it, who don’t expect help, but get it.” In Acts 20:35, Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than receive.” 

Many of you ought to feel blessed then. Your desire to give is evident. Just five hundred more dollars will provide not two, but four $50 grocery cards per month for the next year to the neediest of families in Halifax. That’s wonderful because a hundred dollars doesn’t go as far as it used to. 

This week I realized that growing up I was taught to overcome disadvantages by finding some other advantage or way to even the score. Thank God I’ve lived long enough to realize that the best part of having acquired enough or at least what I need is being able to give more.

Many people are trapped in ever spiraling disadvantage. There is no family member to teach them how to rise above circumstances or get a leg up. For my family, a Navy career and lifetime of scrimping provided that. Now I know that all along, God was entrusting my family to pass on not only what we earned or accumulated, but what we learned and came to believe.

Now, let’s read Psalm 15 together, responsively by verse. Lord, who may dwell in your  tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill? Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right,who speak the truth from their heart; they do not slander with the tongue, they do no evil to their friends;they do not cast discredit upon a neighbor. In their sight the wicked are rejected, but they honor those who fear the Lord. They have sworn upon their health and do not take back their word. They do not give their money in hope of gain, nor do they take bribes against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be overthrown. 

Let us pray. Not for our sake, but for the sake of your kingdom and all its children, help us lead a good life, do what is right and speak truth from our hearts so we won’t contribute to evil or discredit neighbors. Make us reverently fear and respect your word while keeping ours. Encourage and enable us to not keep our money in hope of gain, but to bless others with consolation and hope in you that heals. In Your holy name we pray, Amen.