It doesn’t take a genius to work out that there is much confusion, anger, crime, division, hatred, control, deceit, distrust, anxiety, depression, FEAR – going on in our world today.
If we listen only to main stream news feeds and read the same related news in print – we could believe that almost everyone in the world is bad or cannot trusted or is not a happy, responsible person who acts with character, humility and kindness.
There must be a hell of a lot of virtue and goodness around – otherwise the world community would have imploded on itself long ago.
However, things are not improving and we must all continue to live Above the Line. We must continue to live a life of virtue so as to ensure the good continues to overwhelm the bad.
The only way the Good can lose is if the majority of us decide to join the side and behave in the same way – lie, cheat, steal, deceive, control and disrespect. They care about no one but themselves.
One of the biggest tragedies over the past 50 years is the gradual loss of the influence of Church and its failure to strengthen the presence of Jesus Christ in our communities.
Yes, even if only a small percentage of people actually the Churches – the flow on from its teachings would still manifest in the thinking and acting of the rest of society.
At present, God is almost completely removed from our thoughts, behaviour and decision – and so we have our present cess pot.
Relating this to the Wellness Wheel which comprises 7 Elements – this is the Spiritual Element. The world media, big business, politics has south to empty this Element of virtue, character, God and replace it with anything material or evil – fear, anxiety, crises, drugs, TVs, sports, all forms of communication. Even gone to great lengths to break up the family – physically or simply reduce their personal communication.
I have said for a long time that we followed the 10 Commandments (even if some removed 1 and 2) this would be a recipe for a good life – personal and community. These are structured in a “Don’t” form so there are arguments against them.
I am trying not write a homily or preach some dogma in this blog. However,
I would like to introduce you to the 10 Beatitudes which are in an opposite form, to the 10 commandments.
Each beatitude depicts the ideal heart condition of a citizen of God’s kingdom. In this idyllic state, the believer experiences abundant spiritual blessings.
THESE ARE THE BEATITUDES
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad,”
The Beatitudes: Meaning and Analysis
Each beatitude is a proverb-like saying packed with meaning and worthy of study. Most scholars agree that the beatitudes give us a picture of the true disciple of God – OR simply someone who wishes to live a good secular life.
- “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Paraphrase: “Blessed are those who humbly recognise their need for God or the Spiritual for they will have a happy heart.”
- “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”.
Paraphrase: “Blessed are those who mourn for their wrongdoings, for they shall receive forgiveness and have a good Spiritual life.”
- Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
The meek are also imitators of Jesus Christ who exemplified gentleness and self-control. Whatever you believe about Jesus – he was a man, he was born, he lived in community, he had a mother and father, he was a great teacher, He taught in Temples and to large crowds, he was Crucified. And to those of us who believe – He rose from the dead,
- “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Paraphrase: “Blessed are those who passionately long for Christ or a Spiritual power, for their souls – their spiritual Element – will be filled.”
- “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”.
Paraphrase: “Blessed are those who show mercy through forgiveness, kindness, and compassion, for they will receive mercy.”
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”.
Paraphrase: “Blessed are those who have been purified from the inside out, being made clean and holy, for they will see God and have Spiritual Element filled to the brim.”
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God”.
Paraphrase: “Blessed are those who have been reconciled good in them through good works and virtue will bring this same message of reconciliation to others.
- “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
Paraphrase: “Blessed are those daring enough to openly live a life of virtue for Christ (or for their Spiritual Element) and suffer persecution, for they will receive the blessings they need”
Let the majority of us who have good hearts and wish to do the best we can for ourselves, our family, our business, our community – encourage each other to maintain a good heart and act with kindness, patience, Integrity, Honesty, Humility, real Compassion, respect, forgiveness and joyfulness.
This is how we take our community back.
