Beatitudes

Luke 6 contains the beatitudes.  It is also know as Jesus' Sermon on the Plain.  In Matthew 5, it is called Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.  

Beatitudes from the Greek work Makarios, or from Latin Beatus, which means blessing.  It is not just merely happiness or being fortunate, but it is more than that. 

Normally, the word Makarios can be seen as an adjective, describing a noun.  But a closer look at the word, describes a condition, not something historical or in the past.  Rather, it is eschatological, or something that is going to be.  We can also see the word as a verb, so that it implies necessary action, the condition that is obtained in the near future.  

When you know someone that is poor, what can you do for them?  You can bless them.  Share your resources with them. Do what you can for them. Take care of them.  Bless them.

When you know of someone that is hungry or thirsty, what can you do for them?  You can bless them.  Share your food with them.  Be sure to join the sonshine ministry too. 

When you know of someone who is mourning and weeping, what can you do for them?  You can bless them.  Reach out to them.  Pray for them.  Attend the funeral so as to do your work of mercy, bury the dead.   Send them a sympathy card.  Call them up.  Invite them out.  Help them with their grief.  Console them with the Gospel that is living. 

When you know of someone who hunger and thirst for righteousness, what can you do for them?  You can bless them. You can honor them and respect them.  You can encourage them to continue doing good.  You can model after their virtues. 

But what about the people that are rich and wealthy.  They are already blessed.  They don't need any more blessings.  Encourage them to reach out to others.  Encourage them to be a blessing to others.

But what about the people with stomachs that are filled?  They don't need any more blessings.  Encourage them to be a blessing to others.

But what about the people that are happy?  They don't need any more blessings.  Encourage them to share their joy with others, so that they can be a blessing for others.

But what about the people that already have a good reputation?  They don't need any more blessings.  Encourage them to be a blessing to others.

Now, as I see it, there are three types of categories.  Some people fit into the first category, and they love to Bless others.  The second are those who do not bless others, but by remaining stagnant, they withhold blessing.  Some people are in the third category, who neither bless others, nor withhold blessings, but they tend to curse others.  

Don't be in the second category.  Don't be in the third category.  If you are in them, do what you can to stay away from those two categories.  Don't walk, but run, run swiftly away from those two categories.  Be in the first category.  Be a blessing for others.

Have I blessed someone today?   Have I blessed someone yesterday?  Have I blessed someone this last week?  Have I blessed someone this last month?  Have I blessed someone this last year?  

Who can I bless today?  Who can I bless tomorrow?  Who can I bless this coming week?  Who can I bless this coming month?  Who can I bless this coming year?