Thoughts on a Beatitude
December 18th, 2007A group of us were talking through Jesus’ saying that ‘Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted’ and wondering about Jesus’ meaning when he used the word ‘mourn’
Was he saying that those who lose a loved one will be comforted? - that in itself of course would not be a bad thing, as we can all think no doubt about friends or neighbours who we might have offered some comfort to in their loss.
Or is there more to it than that? I must confess that I think of the Beatitudes as reflecting the qualities of life that Jesus displayed, and that we also should aspire to, and in that sense this is an odd verse. Therefore I’m more taken by William Barclay’s suggestion that Jesus may have been talking about something slightly different - that blessed are those who are saddened by the burden of their sin and the sins and state of the whole world, because it is at that point that God can be so close, so close in fact that it is at this point that so many find their way to God in faith and accept Him.
Jesus mourned for the sins of this world, and longed for all to find comfort in the love and Grace of God. Isn’t that what our attitude should be for the world? If it is then we too shall find comfort in knowing that our thoughts and prayers are as one with His, and any acts of love and generosity that we do are done in His name.
