Blessed are the merciful...

"Blessed are the merciful, 

for they will receive mercy.

Matthew 5:7

"Confessing the Beatitudes," Lesson Five, examines those who show mercy.  Jesus calls disciples to imitate God by showing mercy through emotion, action, and dedication.  Let's take a deeper look at this passage in Matthew.

Greatly honored are those who show eleos, mercy [EL-leh-os].

 Jewish Christians would have understood eleos

as the Greek word for mercy:

"steadfast love" or "covenant loyalty"

as in God's mercy to God's people

 To Gentile Christians hearing Jesus' message,

eleos would be interpreted from their 

Roman teachings and the Latin meaning:

"pity" or "clememcy"

for one deserving punishment

 

In a broad, combined definition, 

mercy consists of three components:

emotion, action, and dedication

Together we explored the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke.  You remember the story:  a man was robbed, beaten, and left by the roadside.  Others walked by, avoiding the man by crossing over to the other side of the roadway.

Only the Samaritan, one despised by Jewish people because of mixed heritage and pagan beliefs, showed mercy.  He showed EMOTION, moved with pity when he saw the man in distress.  He took ACTION, binding the man's wounds and taking him to a place of rest and healing.  He showed DEDICATION, contracting with the innkeeper and providing fully for the man's present and future needs until he was well enough to go his way.

Jesus calls to us live as He would live:  as doers of mercy.

After discussing what it means to be merciful, what the possible consequences and dangers of mercy could be, and who the merciful are in our midst, we created the following confession:

Greatly honored are those who show mercy!

God is merciful to us.  He is love.

Jesus laid down His life for us, giving it all.

He wants us to be merciful as He is merciful.

We are selfish in so many ways,

seeking our own comfort.

We are too busy to be merciful.

We need to be willing to sacrifice 

in order to be merciful,

following our Lord's lead.

We resolve to support the merciful around us,

encouraging them with our prayers.

We resolve to ask God to reveal to each of us

one merciful person to support in minstry

with our prayers, with our time,

with our caring notes, and

with our helping hands.

 

And we resolve to do one act of mercy

to follow in Jesus' footsteps as a doer.

 

Join us in mercy?  The prayer from our lesson is a great way to start, slightly edited to be more personal...

Merciful God, fill my heart with mercy for Your people.  Move me to act with mercy on their behalf.  Steady me to dedicate my life to the Christ-like way of mercy.  Transform me into a woman who shows mercy, as You show mercy, that I may truly be Your child.  Amen.

Beauty from the Web

"Blessed are you who are hungry now, 

for you will be filled.

Woe to you who are full now,

for you will be hungry"

Luke 6:21a, 25a

 

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 

for they will be filled."

Matthew 5:6

Been thinking about the latest beatitude in our study as I wander the world-wide-web.  I've found some beauty along the way to share with you all...

A painting on a favorite blog, The Homespun Heart

Lovely painting by Monica at The Homespun Heart

- - - - - 
An excerpt from a post by Kathy Escobar

"a few days ago i walked a labyrinth with a friend.  no matter how long or short, whenever i carve out quiet time & get some silence & space to connect with God, i am always refreshed somehow.  nothing super exciting happened in the moment but i did have this strong and beautiful sense of God’s sureness underneath my feet as i walked.

it was the world’s ugliest labryinth (really) and it was a little windy & cold outside but as i walked i started noticing these little rocks that were sparkly & shiny here and there.  they were scattered within the stark brownness of the rest of the path.  i felt this sense of God whispering, “notice the beauty…don’t miss the beauty…see, it’s here…sometimes it’s hard to notice but it’s there.” in the middle of the mess of living in the trenches with people, sometimes i just get tired.  the needs always are bigger than our resources.  pain doesn’t magically disappear.  poverty is complicated.  abuse has long-lasting and brutal effects.  and a Jesus-centered life of descent as opposed to the life of ascent (even though that one’s taught in Jesus’ name, too) is definitely a bumpier road.

but that’s the road that Jesus is calling us to in the beatitudes.  it is a beautiful road.  and an ugly road (my friend deb made up a new word–beautifugly).  and most definitely the road i want to continue to walk because there’s so much to be learned here.

in the midst of Jesus’ seemingly-crazy-upside-down-living we can have deep peace. in the midst of longing for change in our own lives, in the lives of the world & the neighborhoods & churches & families, we can have deep peace.  in the midst of embracing our humanity & letting God work in our lives, we can have deep peace.  in the midst of actively pursuing justice & advocating for change, we can have deep peace.

God, help us be people who long for change, in our own lives & in the communities we live in.  and then, guide us as we act on those longings and pursue justice, integrity, wholeness and healing.  may we experience your deep peace in the midst."

- - - - - 
"Artistic Reflections on the Beatitudes of our Lord Jesus Christ" by Stephanie Miles at amentoart.com

 - - - - -
And from our study author's blog, an excerpt and this precious video about doing what we can and not despairing

"Of course many of you will not become Nobel laureates or change the discourse of the church. And giving to the Least Coin Offering or making just choices like Fair Trade coffee can seem to be just a small action given the huge challenges of hunger and thirst for food and for justice in our world today.

And it is when we despair that the saints are there to remind us of what we need to do. Listen to Dr. Maathai talk about a hummingbird.

Then let us be like the hummingbird, like the cloud of witneses. Let us do what we can, even if it seems. And, as we remember the Advent of our Lord at the end of this month, let us look forward to the day when Jesus will come and say to us, "I was hungry, and you gave me food." "

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst...

"Blessed are you who are hungry now, 

for you will be filled.

Woe to you who are full now,

for you will be hungry"

Luke 6:21a, 25a

 

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 

for they will be filled."

Matthew 5:6

 

Lesson Four of "Confessing the Beatitudes" focused on the hungry and thirsty, for simple bread and for justice and righteousness.  Jesus promises sustenance to the famished, but calls the "stuffed" into account.

So what about these two passages, one in Luke and one in Matthew?  How do they differ?  Let's review the Greek words in the passages for more insight:

"hungry" or "famished" = "peinontes" in the Greek;

a chronic, deep-seated, life-threatening hunger 

that the poorest of the poor know on a daily basis;

used in the Bible often to describe

those who are fasting for long periods of time

"justice" = "dikalosyne" in the Greek;

often translated "righteousness".

Justice is a stae of right relationship with God

and with neighbor;

it speaks to treating the poor, the destitute,

the widowed, the foreigners with fairness

"fed" = "chortazo" in the Greek;

one way to translate this is "They shall be filled."

Refers to the promise Jesus gives to the hungry.

 

"stuffed" = "empimplemi" in the Greek;

sated, stuffed, filled all the way up.

Refers to Jesus' rebuke of those who "stuff themselves"

while others around them are famished.

Take some time this week to read Lesson Four, "Greatly Honored are Those Who are Famished and Parched for Justice!"  Meditate on the words Jesus intentionally chose and their meanings.  Thank God for His care for those whom the world forgets, the hungry, the famished, the thirsty, those parched for justice.  Thank God for His promise of provision.  

And then, begin to think about what WE can confess as a result of learning more about this beatitude.  What do we learn about our God?  What do we learn about the famished?  Who might the famished and parched for justice be in our own community?  What small steps can we take to honor them?

Jesus said,

"Feed my sheep."

John 21:17

Following Through... Part Two

Therefore, we resolve to begin exploring 

the possibility of establishing 

a Clothes Closet at Providence Presbyterian Church.

At the very first meeting of A Gathering@The Well, as we began to study Jesus' teachings in the Beatitudes and to write our own confession, we wrote the statement above.

 

Since that time, we've discussed the challenges and the possibilities, and we submitted a ministry proposal.  Here is what we proposed:

 

 

Women Helping Women:
A Semi-Annual Event offering a Clothing Closet, Health Screening, Refreshments,

and the Love of Christ to women in need in our community

     Who?

     A Gathering@The Well, facilitated by Donna Rae Barrow, and the Providence Presbyterian Women will plan and execute this ministry.  We will collect donations of clothing, sort them, make sure all are clean and in good repair, distribute unsuitable items to other organizations, advertise the event, prepare for the event, staff the event, clean up following the event, and distribute remaining items to other organizations. 
 

     How?

     Women Helping Women will be offered as an open house event at Providence.  We will offer gently used clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories to women to encourage them in their time of need and to enhance their appearance for the workplace, for meetings, or even for attending a worship service.  During our time together, we would also like to offer blood pressure checks, information on breast self-exam, refreshments, and warm tours and information about our Providence family.
 

     When?

     The Presbyterian Women would like to present the first Women Helping Women event in late March or early April, working around April 8, Easter Sunday.  We would like to announce this event at our January  Mid-Winter event and collect donated clothing items from February 1 - March 11.  If successful, we would like to offer a similar event in the autumn of 2012. 

 

     Helping?

     To be certain, Women Helping Women will help women in need in our community.  But this ministry will also help the women of Providence as we seek to answer God’s call by serving him and his children, as we learn and grow through his word, and as we reach out with open hands to share with those around us the love and blessings he has given us.  

 

This ministry has received approval and we are moving forward in 2012.  

 

PLEASE pray for this ministry, all who are called to serve, and all who will benefit from it.

 

PLEASE begin gathering very gently used women's clothing and accessories to be donated to this ministry.  More information will be coming out concerning drop off of these items.

 

PLEASE prayerfully consider serving... we need women to collect/sort/prepare clothing donations; we need women to work with community agencies to get the word out to women in need; we need women to set up and clean up on Open House day; we need women to be greeters and helpers during the Open House; we need women to help at the health screening and information tables; and we need women to make and serve refreshments at the Open House. 

 

We are so thankful for this opportunity to serve the Lord.  Join us, won't you?

 

  

The Advent Beatitude

How are you marking the days of Advent?  Are you using an Advent devotional for your quiet time?  Are you lighting the candles of your Advent wreath?  Are you learning the genealogy and promise of Christ with a Jesse Tree?

For most of us, Advent is a time of joyous anticipation, a time of looking forward with hope to the celebration of the Christ Child's arrival.  It's a special time of warmth and happiness and treasured traditions.

Recently, I came across THIS POST by Lara Blackwood Pickrel on the Thoughtful Christian blog, revealing a new beatitude, one focusing on those for whom the hope of Advent is almost too difficult to grasp.  Here's an excerpt...

"When we strip away the twinkling lights, commercial gloss and catchy songs - when we peel off the layers of spray snow and greeting card gusto, what remains? We are left with a season that belongs to those who can hardly bear to hope.

Are you chronically or terminally ill? - Advent belongs to you.
Are you mourning the death of a loved one or a lost job? - Advent is your season.
Are you struggling with infertility? Grieving a miscarriage? - This is your time.
Have you been pushed aside, held back or stomped down? - There is room for you here.

And what of the rest of us? It’s pretty simple, really: If you are already joyful, keep being joyful. If your life is already filled with hope, trust in that hope. If your soul overflows with praise, raise your hands to the heavens and sing carols to God. But at the same time, make a little room for those who aren’t joyful, hopeful, praiseful. Give them space for their grief without guilt or shame.

This Advent, as we watch and prepare for the arrival of the Christ child, let us consider the addition of a sort of supplemental Beatitude:

Blessed are they who must journey towards hope, 
for this is their season."

Remember these dear ones during this time.  Mark these days of hope and expectation with open hearts.  Extend grace and gentleness. 

Happy are the Meek

I've been thinking on our study of the humbled, the meek.  And I've been following through on our confession, happily honoring small businesses and local producers and artisans in developing countries as I'm choosing gifts for Christmas.  A great discovery was the Friends School Book and Craft Fair this past weekend.  I purchased a beautiful book, a couple of gifts, and a lovely hand-felted blossom to pin on my winter sweaters!  What about you?  Share some of your wonderful discoveries!

Below is an excerpt of a sermon I saw online recently that makes clear this whole idea of 'meekness'.  It was titled, "Blessed Is As Blessed Does" and was presented at Hodges Presbyterian Church on November 6 by Rev. Joel L. Kelly.  Read and enjoy!

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” In our culture today, we are taught “You have to stand up for yourself. Don‟t let anyone push you around. You have rights; demand them.” The meek are the people who renounce their own rights for the sake of Jesus Christ. They leave all justice to God.

Meekness is synonymous in Greek with gentleness. It doesn‟t mean someone who is a doormat, being walked all over by everyone who comes along. It goes hand in hand with humility. Humility seems to have a negative reputation today, but I believe it is commonly misunderstood. Biblical humility means an understanding of just where we personally fit in God‟s kingdom. The truly humble person neither advances himself beyond the place God has called him to be nor shrinks from the task that God has assigned. The truly humble person is where God wants him to be. When we are firmly in the center of God‟s will, and when we realize that God wants the absolute best for us, then we will discover that we have truly inherited the earth. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Blessed are the humbled...

"Blessed are the meek, 

for they will inherit the earth."

Matthew 5:5 

In "Confessing the Beatitudes", Lesson Three, we explored the humbled, or meek, and Jesus' renewal of God's promise to those whom society humbles, a promise that they shall inherit the earth.

So what about these two words, "humbled" and "meek"?  What do you think of when you hear these words... one unable to stand up for herself?... a mousy, shy individual?... someone beaten down by the world's harshness?  Let's review what we learned about these words in the Greek.

"meek" = "praeis" in the Greek

this word may also be translated "humbled";

like the Greek word for "mourners" in Lesson Two,

this word is quite unusual in the Bible

To further explore the meaning of these words, our lesson points out that the Bible describes three different kinds of people with this unusual word:

1.  those who are oppressed or downtrodden, targets of injustice

2.  those who are the opposite of proud or mighty; those living justly

3.  those who are guided by God and seek refuge in God; 

the status of these humbled in society is less important than their dependence on God

Not all of us fully agreed with the author's interpretation of the humbled, and we talked about the humbled or meek that we see today.  As we talked, we thought of super retailers (affluent, powerful, oppressive) vs. small business owners (humble, meek) in our day.  We were moved, especially at this time of the year, to write the following confession:

The humbled are to be greatly honored.

God uses anybody and everybody... even us...

to give to the world.

God values the quiet, hidden service

as highly as the spectacular.

God will keep His promise of reward to the meek.

Therefore, we resolve to honor with our patronage

small, local, or fair trade businesses and artisans,

such as SERRV, Heifer International, Ten Thousand Villages,

or the local shops in our neighborhoods

during the coming holiday season 

and throughout the coming year.

We will change our purchasing decisions

to reflect our respect for our local merchants.

As you begin your Christmas gift shopping, think about that small tea shop around the corner, or that knitting store down the street, or the special holiday shopping days at local farmers markets, or the SERRV shop inside the Presbytery office in Portsmouth.  Try giving gifts that are truly unique and support a small business or an artisan struggling to make a fair wage.  Your gift will delight both the recipient AND humble merchants.

And remember... above all else during this hectic season... 

Jesus, God's greatest gift, given just for you.