I have been trying and trying to process this week's topic, the paradox of the Beatitudes from Luke 6:20-31. I squirmed uncomfortably in service when Pastor Suzanne talked about our instant gratification society, our impatience, the expectation that everything happen now. Most people who know me know that my regular prayer is God give me patience, but give it to me now! So waiting until some unspecified time in the future to be compensated, or rewarded, for "suffering" is something I would rather not do.
As I dug around for commentary and interpretation the very first part of the first verse in this week's scripture jumped off the page. "Looking at his disciples, he said..." My understanding has always been that Jesus is offering encouragement and "compensation" for whatever we must endure in this life. That sentence changes this into a code of conduct - instructions for how to be in the world while not being of the world. When I backed up to verse 17 I see that he was talking to "A large crowd of his disciples... and a great number of people from all over..."
Well, now I am just confused and feel like I need to rethink the Beatitudes. They are contradictory, difficult, and demanding, especially in the context of a consumerist, materialistic society. The longer I ponder the more they feel like a reminder that God loves us, God wants the best for us, and that has nothing to do with our actions or status in life and everything to do with our relationship with God.
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