Four Gospels

ULC

The Four Gospels Course

by Rev J. Duguay

What does "Blessed" really mean?

by Rev JoAnna Duguay

After doing more research I would have to say that the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes have a much bigger and profound meaning to me now.

“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.”

Matthew 5:1-12 A.S. Version

According to Scripture, those who are blessed are those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those that hunger for rightness, those who show mercy, the pure in heart, those who seek after peace and those who are persecuted for rightness. In other words; the low of the low (as defined by our society today) are blessed by God.

What does it mean to be 1) poor 2) a mourner 3) meek 4) to hunger and thirst for rightness 5) merciful 6) pure in heart 7) peace seeker and 8) being persecuted?

For me these eight blessings mean the following:

Poor: Poor here does not mean having no money, living in the slums, homeless, etc. What it means is those people who choose to live an uncomplicated and unbusy life. Those who choose not to let money, fame, their job or even their relationships define who they are. Being humble and knowing your place in world.

Those who Mourn: Mourning and being blessed seem like a contradiction, doesn’t it? By mourning, I think this passage is trying to convey mourning of spiritual matters. Seeing sin and evil in the world and feeling it’s consequences. Seeing a friend or loved one choose the “wrong” path. A mourner is one who can sense the rightness and wrongness of the world and feel overwhelming burden of trying to right the wrong or make it right.

Meekness: This word definitely does not mean you let other walk all over you and become a victim. It means strength under control. Instead of becoming angry and yelling or screaming, you take a breath and become calm and determine the right way to deal with things. A meek person desires peace and chooses to be humble in all things.

What is it to hunger and thirst after righteousness? I like to call it “rightness.” Like the ULC motto claims. “Do that which is right.” It means even in the hardest decisions of life, you are going to choose the high road, the road that takes you upstream, not downstream. The road “less traveled.” Never ever compromising what you know is right even if it makes you very unpopular.

Merciful: Those who show compassion on people others won’t. Forgiving where others will not forgive. Knowing God’s grace is all that separates us from the darkness and sharing the light with all who need it.

Pure in Heart: Simplicity. Living life in it’s simplest form. Not bragging, not showing off, not judging. Believing in miracles and seeing the light through the darkness. 

Peacemaker: A uniter not a divider. Seeking the “peace profound” in each and every part of life. War is never of God.

Those who are Persecuted: Staying your ground when it seems like the whole world has a different viewpoint or belief than yours and not being afraid to share it.

The older I get the more I realize the real meaning or significance of my life is who I am on the inside and how I react to the world around me. It’s not about money, fame or power. It’s not about rushing to a decision but trying to determine that which is right and doing it. Never letting someone else make a decision for me. Being willing to travel down roads untraveled, unmarked or with no directions. Simply traveling your own “True North. The direction you were meant to travel regardless of the consequences.

In conclusion…….. Life is a Journey, not a Destination!

Rev J. Duguay

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