Sunset June 6, 2005

Sunset June 6 2005

Sister Joan Irene

Beatitudes Mt 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "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. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute youand utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Poor in spirit is a state difficult to describe. I needed to receive teaching about the meaning of poverty of spirit. It is a state that is not sad. My understanding is that includes a loss of selfishness. An open state to the will of God rather than self will. It requires the ability to let go. To let go of possessions, of preconceptions, of judgements, of self centered ways of thinking, feeling and acting. For me the vow of poverty is more than the living without possessions, it is the open gift of the love of God to all. The reverence and praise for all creation.

"Oh God, create a clean heart in me." This scriptural quote is repeated often in the monastic prayer liturgy. John Cassian upheld it as a central prayer in his writings.

The blessings relate to the earlier Hebrew blessings. To accept a blessing is to be open to the love of God and to know that all that is good comes from God. The name of St Benedict comes from a form of the word blessing, blessed.

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