I collect unusual kaleidoscopes - that is, if two can be considered a collection. I admire them as an art form and love the way the mirrors reflect external light in infinite variety and color. The name kaleidoscope was first coined by its Scottish inventor in 1817, by pulling together three Greek words meaning beauty, visible form, to examine, to form a single word meaning "observer of beautiful forms".
To me, the Beatitudes in Christ Jesus' Sermon on the Mount are a kaleidoscope showing us how God's children are blessed to express good in unlimited spiritual form and quality.
Being good and having more good in our lives doesn't have to involve a bloody battle. When I seem most out of sync with good - when I am having trouble feeling it or seeing it in myself and around me - sometimes all I need is a fresh look at the Beatitudes to find the essential evidence of God's good that restores me.
To me, the Beatitudes in Christ Jesus' Sermon on the Mount are a kaleidoscope showing us how God's children are blessed to express good in unlimited spiritual form and quality.
Being good and having more good in our lives doesn't have to involve a bloody battle. When I seem most out of sync with good - when I am having trouble feeling it or seeing it in myself and around me - sometimes all I need is a fresh look at the Beatitudes to find the essential evidence of God's good that restores me.
You are blessed. That is the underlying message of the Beatitudes. Each of Jesus' ten statements on blessedness affirms some aspect of spiritual identity and answers a question about what it means to be blessed.
1. Why are you blessed? Because of your natural receptivity to Spirit. "Blessed are the poor (the receptive) in Spirit." Heaven is your kingdom, your home, your consciousness right now. Heaven is open to you. There is no limit to the angels - the spiritual intuitions passing from God to man - that you have access to. Receptivity is built-in to your spiritual nature. YOU ARE BLESSED.
2. What keeps you blessed? You are consistent. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. One definition of mourn that could be applied here is “the low, soft sound of the dove.” The glossary of Science and Health explains the biblical sense of Dove as “Purity and peace; hope and faith”. Blessed is your consistent expression of purity, peace, hope and faith. They are your protection, your comfort, and are already developed in your spiritual nature.
YOU ARE BLESSED.
3. What makes you strong? Your meekness. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." One definition of meekness is "enduring injury with patience and without reaction.” Meekness is the outcome of knowing who you are. Understanding yourself to be one with God allows you to stay steady and true to yourself when you are tempted to be offended by the shocks and pressures of the day. Think of that the next time you are challenged – how your unity with God gives you built-in resilience and freedom. YOU ARE BLESSED.
4. What satisfies you? What fills you up? Your hunger and thirst, your natural appetite for the real thing - spiritual good. "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." Ask yourself, what do I desire above all else? Are you really satisfied with the carnal mind’s material munchies? With sensual and material wants? What are we desiring, what are we praying for? Identify in yourself your natural attraction to good. Recognize your appetite for spiritual good. YOU ARE BLESSED.
5. What keeps you company? Divine Love is reflected in tangible forms and expressions of love. "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." One paraphrase of that beatitude is, “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being care-full, you find yourselves cared for." (The Message, Eugene Peterson) YOU ARE BLESSED!
Check back tomorrow for part two.
1. Why are you blessed? Because of your natural receptivity to Spirit. "Blessed are the poor (the receptive) in Spirit." Heaven is your kingdom, your home, your consciousness right now. Heaven is open to you. There is no limit to the angels - the spiritual intuitions passing from God to man - that you have access to. Receptivity is built-in to your spiritual nature. YOU ARE BLESSED.
2. What keeps you blessed? You are consistent. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. One definition of mourn that could be applied here is “the low, soft sound of the dove.” The glossary of Science and Health explains the biblical sense of Dove as “Purity and peace; hope and faith”. Blessed is your consistent expression of purity, peace, hope and faith. They are your protection, your comfort, and are already developed in your spiritual nature.
YOU ARE BLESSED.
3. What makes you strong? Your meekness. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." One definition of meekness is "enduring injury with patience and without reaction.” Meekness is the outcome of knowing who you are. Understanding yourself to be one with God allows you to stay steady and true to yourself when you are tempted to be offended by the shocks and pressures of the day. Think of that the next time you are challenged – how your unity with God gives you built-in resilience and freedom. YOU ARE BLESSED.
4. What satisfies you? What fills you up? Your hunger and thirst, your natural appetite for the real thing - spiritual good. "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." Ask yourself, what do I desire above all else? Are you really satisfied with the carnal mind’s material munchies? With sensual and material wants? What are we desiring, what are we praying for? Identify in yourself your natural attraction to good. Recognize your appetite for spiritual good. YOU ARE BLESSED.
5. What keeps you company? Divine Love is reflected in tangible forms and expressions of love. "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." One paraphrase of that beatitude is, “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being care-full, you find yourselves cared for." (The Message, Eugene Peterson) YOU ARE BLESSED!
Check back tomorrow for part two.
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The readership of this blog is growing by leaps and bounds everyday due to readers - like you - sharing (see new share button at top of sidebar), emailing, tweeting, and posting the link so that others can find it.
Blogs like this can be a great communication tool with our friends, neighbors, acquaintances and those we don't know personally. Thank you for sharing widely when you read something that touches and helps you.
And if you wish to subscribe, simply scroll up and submit your email in the box shown in the sidebar!
You may also wish to:
VISIT MY WEBSITE HOME PAGE
READ MORE BLOG POSTINGS
FIND LINKS TO MY OTHER PUBLISHED CONTENT
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