Matthew 5:1-6

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” vs. 3

As we prepare to celebrate the saints tomorrow and take time today to reflect on the Beautitudes it is so important to remember that these verses are descriptive and not prescriptive. They describe followers of Jesus, those people whose lives have touched our hearts in such deep and profound ways, loved ones who we miss so much, and who now live on in our memories. It’s particularly fitting that Jesus leads off his description with “blessed are the poor in spirit,” a reminder that sometimes we get it all wrong as we look for models of godliness. Too often we reserve our admiration for the spiritually fit, the folks who seem to have it all together as they live out their lives. Their faith is admirable with never a revealed doubt and deeds beyond reproach. They’re never confused or troubled, depression seems far away, and they seem to possess every spiritual gift in abundance. But Jesus reserves his special blessing for the confused and wandering, those who struggle with spiritual emptiness and poverty, and promises that “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Chances are that these will be the loved ones closest to our hearts tomorrow, for it’s likely that their story is the closest to our own. What a blessing it is to know that those who didn’t “get it all together in this life” get it all in the life to come!

Thought for the Day: How do I experience poverty of spirit?