Have you ever felt less than enough? Earlier this year, I found myself in exactly that place, while on the way to the Mount of Beatitudes. Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this large hill (also known as Mount Eremos) is the traditional site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5-7). On that hill, inside a small chapel fashioned in the shape of an octagon, I searched for words of prayer. I found myself listening instead. High above me, light-filled windows offered the words of the eight beatitudes (blessings). It was a visual reminder that Jesus cared for people who are poor in spirit…who mourn…who are meek…who are hungry and thirst for justice…who are merciful…who have pure hearts…who make peace…who are persecuted and reviled.
Are Jesus’ followers surprised that he would bless such unlikely people – people who might have had good reasons to feel less than enough? Not only does Jesus call them blessed; he promises them restoration and wholeness.
This message is excerpted from “On the way” by Elizabeth Hunter in the July/August 2023 Gather magazine.
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