UPSIDE-DOWN BLESSING

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 5:1-12
The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

How do you know that you are blessed? Our consumer-driven culture primes us to believe blessedness is based on our bank accounts. Or perhaps we learn that we are blessed if we are in good health, or if our work is meaningful, or if our social or family lives are fulfilling. Social media hashtags depict blessing as the result of good fortune. And health, work, family, and social connection can all be good things! But the beatitudes turn our assumptions about blessedness on their head.

Jesus reminds us that instead, blessedness is our beginning. “Blessed” is our primary identity in God. We are loved and favored by God before we do anything to earn it, before the circumstances of our lives begin to define us. Our level of blessedness has nothing to do with us and everything to do with God’s abundant love and grace. This is true especially when it feels like we are anything but blessed.

We are loved, held, and brought near to God, even in our pain and sorrow and everything that makes us feel like we are less worthy, less loved, less important. In fact, it is in those places that God draws nearest to us, reminding us that we are loved and whole and worthy of blessing. Then everything we do flows from that identity of blessedness. We are freed to bless others—with our words, our actions, our whole lives. We are invited to engage the world through the upside-down lens of the kingdom of God. We are given new eyes to see God’s presence in this world—not just among the important, the powerful, the popular, and the loud, but among those the world would rather ignore, disregard, or shame.

Whenever the world pronounces condemnation, God declares, “Blessed.” Whenever the world excludes, God welcomes. Whenever the world scorns, mocks, or causes harm, God promises new life in the kingdom of heaven that is ever drawing near.

From sundaysandseasons.com.
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