Blessed are the poor in spirit…
The 9 beatitudes are an introduction to the sermon on the mount. The sermon then goes into greater detail of living out the beatitudes in everyday life.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of God. Matt. 5:3
The definition of blessed is, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, enjoying the eternal happiness of heaven. Jesus pronounces this blessing first and foremost,to those who are poor in spirit.
Most people in Jesus’ day were poor, they knew what it was like to have nothing. Jesus himself knew this, but he went a little deeper in his teaching than just saying “those without money or possessions,” he said “poor in spirit.”
Most of us are certainly not poor. We may be broke, but we’re not like Jews in first century Palestine. We have food in our fridge, two things they didn’t have at all. But we have plenty of things, and if we are not careful, “things” can distract, impede or sever our reliance upon God.
I believe this is the key point to this beatitude, and if we miss it, we will lose the rest of the entire sermon .
Our dependence is to be placed entirely on God, physically and spiritually !
If we don’t, can’t or won’t do this, we’ll simply go about living our lives the way we want and not the way God intends . Missing the blessing that he wants to give to His children, who love and obey Him.
September 23, 2008 at 4:13 am
Unfortunately, I have seen and heard many flawed interpretations of this beatitude, so I strongly affirm you for absolutely nailing the truth here. Your use of words like “reliance” and “dependence” is spot on.
One of the prayers I use at Eucharistic Adoration comes from St Maria Faustina’s diary, n. 356. She composed a litany of her trust in our Eucharistic Lord. Here are some of the acclamations that seem to indicate the depth of her poverty of spirit:
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when the burdens are beyond my strength and I find my efforts are fruitless.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when storms toss my heart about and my fearful spirit tends to despair.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when everything conspires against me and black despair creeps into my soul.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my tasks will be beyond my strength and adversity will become my daily lot.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when the practice of virtue will appear difficult for me and my nature will grow rebellious.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when hostile blows will be aimed against me.
O Blessed Host, I trust in You when my toils and efforts will be misjudged by others.
For the entire litany, scroll about 20% down here:
http://our.homewithgod.com/divinemercy/book1page3/
September 23, 2008 at 4:20 am
Thank you christicrux, for you encouragement and this beautiful litany!