Beatitudinous

Last year, I spent the summer typing out all of the things Jesus is reported to have said, according to the four canonical gospels, and then spent the rest of the year writing about my thought on the stuff Jesus said. I published the book as Jesus Said Stuff: Revisiting the Red Letters of Christ. There is a certain set of teachings found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke that have come be some of Jesus’s most popular and misunderstood teachings, so I decided to revisit them in rhyme.

One of the most memorable things Jesus had to offer

has been come to be called the Beatitudes

They are lessons that reach into our very souls

though some dismiss them as platitudes

Matthew and Luke both offer their versions,

and the differences are more than just subtle

but when you get to the heart of what they really teach,

the lessons have no rebuttal

Luke says “Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.”

Matthew says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

and some may find it odd

that instead of saying the kingdom of God,

Matthew says “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Some don’t make a big deal of it

because it’s only an expression

The point is that you are empty

and are ready to be filled up

If you don’t let go of what you’re clinging to,

God can’t fill your cup

Luke says, “Blessed are you who hunger now,

for you will be satisfied.”

but you can’t be blessed with the best

if you cling to that which has pacified

Matthew says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.”

By aligning yourself with the Source of all things,

a great life you can build

“Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh,” says Luke

because life is filled with both ups and downs,

and it is not a fluke

that Matthew says, “Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.”

because life, it does provide,

no matter how much you’ve suffered it

Luke says, “Blessed are you when people hate you,

when they exclude you and insult you

and reject your name as evil,

because of the Son of Man” for he called you

Matthew says, “Blessed are you when people insult you,

for they are unable to see

They may “persecute you and falsely say all

kinds of evil against you because of me.

Jesus continues, “Rejoice and be glad,

because great is your reward in heaven,

Just because you’re misunderstood

is no reason to embrace depression

He says “for in the same way

they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

but you need to know as much as you may love your Creator,

your Creator also adores you.

Luke says, “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy,

because great is your reward in heaven.

The joy that comes from realizing that

is greater than any possession

Jesus reminds us we’re not alone,

“For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.”

Luke says Jesus also had a few harsh words

for some of the people in his province

“But woe to you who are rich,

for you have already received your comfort.”

You cling to possessions and stature,

and you miss what is truly abundant

“Woe to you who are well fed now,

for you will go hungry.”

You will eventually be brought down to size,

and you will do it humbly

“Woe to you who laugh now,

for you will mourn and weep.”

If you’re just going along with the popular crowd,

there’s a good chance you’re a sheep

“Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,

for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”

The one thing life constantly offers is change,

that is its only true promise

Matthew doesn’t offer any “woe”s,

but does have some additional “blessed”s

and this gets to the heart of what Christ really taught

and the lessons that he embeds

in our hearts and in our souls

so we can realize our worth

He says that “Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth”

The arrogant don’t really appreciate that,

and it does stir up some controversy

like when Jesus says “Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.”

It’s those who realize authenticity and empathy

and don’t put up a facade

for Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.”

For those who open up to it

and realize the Spirit as part of their nature

Jesus said these folks can change the world

when he said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God”

and they’re the ones who inspire us

Jesus also encouraged when he said

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”

and each of us gets to decide

as life reveals what it needs from us,

if we will provide

this Spirit of love that was shown to us

through this extraordinary example

in a world that’s lost in the dark,

the light is actually ample

but we must decide to let it flow through us

and let our heart lights shine

for the power of Spirit wasn’t just for Jesus,

it’s also yours and mine

So let us appreciate these Beatitudes

and let them be beatitudinous

for if we allow these truths to be revealed in us,

we can truly be luminous

Share