Today we are presented with the familiar and beloved “Beatitudes”: a litany of blessings. What is striking about them is that blessing is promised in many cases to those experiencing things we often associate more with a curse than something good or positive. Mourning? Poor in spirit? Persecution? Yet Jesus is, in a way, merely encouraging us to be unafraid to follow Him into the pattern of His own life as it will eventually unfold. For He is poor in spirit, and is the King of Heaven. He mourned deeply, and now knows the joy of Heaven. He has gone before us in all things, setting the pattern for our lives as Christians and not only warning us of the potential obstacles and challenges, but overcoming them and showing us the way, promising that within and beyond them lies abundant blessing.
“Rejoice and be glad,” He says to us who struggle, who suffer, “for your reward will be great in heaven.”