The Beatitudes

We reflected on “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) last Sunday.  And this Sunday, we will reflect on “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

Happy are the mourners?  Really?  We know better!  Mourning is something to be avoided if at all possible.  And if it proves to be inescapable, it is to be endured with stoic courage. We certainly don’t expect to find happiness in the place of mourning. 

The late J.B. Phillips said that if we humans were to write this Beatitude to reflect life as we see it, we would have it say, “Blessed are the hard-boiled: for they never let life hurt them.”  Most of us have been taught to keep a tough exterior and to be careful that we refrain from being unnecessarily open to emotional pain.  Right?  Come friends, join us as we reflect on “Happy are the mourners.”  

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