Episode Transcript
Hello, friends, and welcome to this week’s episode of Grits and the Gospel.
My name is Reverend Katie Griffis, and it is so good to be back with you.
We were closed due to inclement weather two weeks ago, and I didn’t want to not use the sermon that you heard then, so I went ahead and shared it with my congregation last Sunday. Because of that, there was no new sermon to put out into the world.
This weekend it’s going to be very cold, but right now it looks like we won’t have any precipitation to go along with it. I know, though, that in Atlanta and other places there will be plenty of it, so I am, as always, in prayer for all of you who live in the path of that storm. And selfishly, we hope it’s not one we’re going to have to deal with here.
Other than the severe cold, as I sit here recording, I’ve just turned the heat up because it is chilly in the house. And Honey is awake for this lovely recording, so you’ll probably hear her yawn and stretch, which is very humbling, as always.
So let us come together now in a time of worship.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Today’s psalm lesson comes from the 15th Psalm. It may offer some inspiration for Jesus and the Beatitudes—an overall idea that we see reflected in each of the verses we will hear later in the Gospel of Matthew.
Hear now the word of the Lord.
On your holy hill, those who walk blamelessly and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart, who do not slander with their tongue and do no evil to their friends, nor heap shame upon their neighbors, in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord, who stand by their oath, even to their hurt, who do not lend money at interest and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.
The word of God for us, the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Let us come together now and remind ourselves of all of those things that we believe.
Friends, what do we believe?
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
Amen.
Let us get ready to pray.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. The third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Dear Lord, as we listen to these familiar words, as we listen to people who have interpreted them, help us to see these ancient texts in new and relevant and beautiful ways, that we may be inspired to show those around us your love and take heart in times of trouble.
Hear us now as we pray the words that your Son taught us to pray.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.
Today’s gospel lesson comes from the fifth chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, verses 1 through 12. It is part of the Sermon on the Mount and familiar to many of us who have studied the faith for a while—perhaps even since childhood. You may have memorized these words long ago.
So hear them today with fresh ears.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The word of God for us, the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Would you pray with me?
Dear Lord, let these familiar words inspire new ways of being. Let these familiar words ring true. May these familiar words bring love and peace and joy. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer.
Amen.
Merriam-Webster defines the word beatitude as a state of utmost bliss. Used in a sentence, they give this example: Not from earthly riches, but from the milk of human kindness comes true beatitude.
In Christianity, Webster says it refers to any declaration made in Matthew 5:3–11. I think these two definitions go very well together. Each of these verses encourages those who are suffering, reminding us that a life of bliss is available to them.
I don’t know about you, but I could use some bliss in my life.
At some point, we can all identify with each of these verses. At some point, we have all been in mourning. At some point, we have all tried to be peacemakers. At some point, we have all been persecuted and reviled.
But this list is not all there is in the world. There is a lot out there that can get us down—things that can make us feel less than, or hurt, or angry. That’s why I love looking at other interpretations of the Beatitudes to help expand what we hear in Scripture.
One of those places is the Cotton Patch Gospel by Clarence Jordan. If you don’t have a copy, I certainly recommend adding it to your library. Please remember, this is an interpretation, not a translation. Like The Message, it’s a creative way to look at Scripture.
One of my favorite Beatitude interpretations from Jordan goes like this: They who have an unsatisfied appetite for the right are God’s people, for they will be given plenty to chew on.
The right way to love. The right way to live. The right way to spread the word beyond our walls.
If we live in the right—supporting the rights of all people to live free from worry, anger, and retaliation—then maybe we can give people a lot to chew on. Maybe they will say, “Wow, I want to live like that, instead of angry and fearful.” Maybe they will see a different way to live a joyful and blissful life.
Maybe—just maybe—if we show others what God’s people really act like, they will want to act that way too.
The Beatitudes have also been interpreted outside of Scripture. The writer Alice Walker, best known for The Color Purple, has her own list of Beatitudes. It’s a whole page, so I won’t read them all, but I want to share a few that seem especially fitting today.
Helped are those who love others unsplit off from their faults. To them will be given clarity of vision.
Helped are those who strive to give up their anger. Their reward will be that in any confrontation, their first thoughts will never be of violence or war.
Helped are those whose every act is a prayer for peace. On them depends the future of the world.
Helped are those who forgive. Their reward shall be forgiveness of every evil done to them. It will be in their power, therefore, to envision the new earth.
Love despite faults. Letting go of anger. Praying for peace. Forgiveness.
What a beautiful world this would be if we all lived by these Beatitudes.
Jesus preached all of these things. Jesus showed us how to live this life. He never said to love your neighbor unless they were different from you. He never said that we were not worthy of forgiveness. He forgives all of us—every one of us. He loves us and desires peace in this world, no matter what mistakes we have made.
Whether we find these truths in Scripture or in the beautiful interpretations of modern writers, they are no less true.
Alice Walker goes on to be even more specific about how we can find joy and love.
Helped are those who laugh with a pure heart. Theirs will be the company of the jolly righteous.
That one always makes me think of people with a great laugh—the giggles of a small child, or the full-bellied laughter of a friend. Is there any better sound?
Helped are those who love all the colors of all human beings as they love all the colors of animals and plants. None of their children, nor any of their ancestors, nor any parts of themselves shall be hidden from them.
Helped are those who love the lesbian, the gay, and the straight as they love the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Helped are those who love the broken and the whole.
No matter if we are Jew or Greek, immigrant or citizen, male or female—no matter who we love or how old we are—we are all human beings, all worthy of love, kindness, and forgiveness in this body of Christ.
What a beautiful interpretation of something already so deep and meaningful. What a blueprint for humanity.
So I ask you: How might you reinterpret the Beatitudes in your own life? What does being a Christian mean to you right now? What does being a peacemaker look like today? What work do we need to do to give up our anger?
These are the things that help us move toward a life of bliss.
I don’t usually give homework—there are no take-home tests from church—but this week I hope you take some time to write your own Beatitudes. What harmful things do you need to set down so you can be helped, blessed, and find bliss?
I have a pretty long list myself.
Helped are those who find the courage to do at least one small thing each day to help the existence of another—plant, animal, river, or human being. They shall be joined by a multitude of the timid.
It is the small gestures that mean so much. Waving to a neighbor. Looking people in the eye and saying hello. Smiling and welcoming people—whether at the post office, the Piggly Wiggly, or right here at the church doors.
It doesn’t always take big, loud, bold actions to make things better—though sometimes those are needed. Often, it’s the small things, done every day, that create real change.
Blessed are the merciful. The pure in heart. And the peacemakers in deed.
We could use a little more of that in this world.
It was so with Jesus. May it be so with each and every one of us today.
Amen.
As you go throughout your week writing your Beatitudes, be aware of the world around you. Be aware of the small things you do—and the small things you can do—to be merciful, loving, kind, and peacemakers.
The world will be better for it.
Because in life, in death, and in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
