Loving God, you stand ready to bless those who turn their hearts to you, and sustain the weary even in the midst of difficulties.  Grant us the vision to see your power at work, and fill our hearts with the gifts of faith and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    Today’s gospel is for all those who are discouraged, or hurting, or oppressed.  It is for those who hunger and thirst for the presence of God and who are filled with compassion and sorrow when they look at what is going on in our world.  Today’s gospel is for those who work for peace and for righteousness and who despair of ever seeing any results.  In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks good news and hope to many who are suffering in some way.

    The poor in spirit know how great their need for God really is.  They know for a fact that they cannot make it on their own.  As for those who mourn, they are hurting.  They have experienced pain and loss and are filled with grief.  The meek are humble and gentle and tend to get bowled over by bullies or power brokers.  The meek manage to do many amazing things – just like Moses and Jesus.  Yet, they also get their hearts broken and sometimes even get crucified.

    The ones who hunger and thirst for righteousness? – They continue to be grieved by the things in this world that are simply not right, and despair of ever seeing people living godly and loving lives.  And those who are merciful have tender hearts, and continue to see people who are in need and who are hurting.  It seems that there is always more mercy that is needed!  As for the pure in heart, aren’t they also going to be grieved by what they see happening in this world?  There is much in this world that would cut them right to the heart.

    As for the peacemakers, doesn’t that seem to be an endless task?  They work and work to make peace, and still there are people who only want to fight.  And then we have those who are persecuted simply for believing in Jesus and doing what is right.  Nobody ever wants to be persecuted and slandered and falsely accused.  Those who are persecuted are obviously suffering as well.

    And so Jesus addresses all of these people – all of whom are suffering in some way, and some of whom are despairing.  In fact, Jesus doesn’t just address them, but pronounces blessings upon them, proclaiming that it is to people such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.  There are promises for each and every one of them, and reasons for rejoicing and gladness and the highest order of happiness.  Everything - it would seem - is not as it seems.  There is a different reality at work in this kingdom of heaven that Jesus brings into being.

    In the kingdom of heaven, those who mourn are comforted, for they know that death is not the end and that those who belong to Jesus will live eternally with him.  In the kingdom of heaven, it is the meek who inherit the earth – not the powerful and the violent and the strong, but those who are humble and gentle.  In the kingdom of heaven those who hunger and thirst for righteousness see it happening and see God’s power at work, and the hunger inside of them is filled.

    In the kingdom of heaven, those who have given mercy to others also receive it and experience the joy that comes from being able to give and to receive.  In the kingdom of heaven, the pure in heart see God, right there, purifying and making holy in spite of the ugly choices that are being made by human beings.  And in the kingdom of heaven, those who work for peace know that they belong to God and that God is the ultimate peacemaker.

    Now, some would say that many of these promises only have to do with the future, when the kingdom of heaven comes in all its fulness at the end of all things.  However, the blessings that Jesus pronounces are in the present tense.  These people who are likely to suffer in some way in this world are blessed even now.  And so, how can this be?  How can you be in the midst of difficulties and still be happy and blessed and at peace?

    I know it is possible because I have seen it.  I’ve seen people who have lost everything in an earthquake or a flood, and they’re standing there giving thanks and praise to God because their family is safe.  I’ve seen people like Nelson Mandela, imprisoned for years simply because of the colour of his skin, and then working to make things better rather than seeking revenge.  I’ve seen people continue to show mercy to others for many years, not allowing themselves to get discouraged, because they know that God has shown the same mercy to them.

    It almost requires a particular type of vision that faith gives you.  It’s like putting on a pair of those night vision goggles where suddenly you can see things that you couldn’t see without them.  You look around the world and might want to sink into despair.  However, when you whip out those goggles and put them on, you look around and begin to see things differently.  Without the goggles, you look over there and say, “Whoa, things look pretty bad over there.”  However, you put the goggles on and start to say, “You know, I think I can see God at work over there.  God’s power is real.  God is at work, even though it might look hopeless.”

    I had a conversation this past week with Pastor Luther Symons, whom some of you know quite well.  He was talking about how the ELCA had lost many members and congregations in the state of California, all of whom had left in protest.  Understandably, this could be very discouraging.  However, the congregation that he serves has simply said, “You know what? - God’s mission has not changed.  We are here to share the gospel, and that’s what we’re going to do.”  And so, they continue to focus on mission - Word & Sacrament and service - including mission trips to Cameroon every summer.  And the congregation is thriving and growing.

    You’ve heard it from me before, but I’m going to say it again: What we choose to focus on makes a huge difference.  And so, can we see those places where God is at work?  Can we see the power of God at work as people continue to work for peace and to hunger and thirst for righteousness?  Can we see a reason for rejoicing even in the midst of persecution?  Can we see that it is not the violent or the powerful who will win in the end, but the meek (those who are humble and gentle like Jesus or Moses)?  Can we see the kingdom of heaven, which is among us even now, and will be seen in all its fulness at the end?

    Our ability to see these things grows as our faith grows.  In fact, it would be nice to be able to hand out some of those “faith vision” goggles.  However, faith grows a little more organically than that!  Ultimately, it is the Spirit of God who works in our hearts, giving us the gift of faith, which is then nurtured and grows through things like prayer and worship and study and practice.

    May God grant each of us the gift of such vision as we gather together today, helping us to see that we are, indeed, blessed, and helping us to see the power of God at work through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Epiphany 4(A)                                Matthew 5:1-12
January 30, 2011
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2011 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved