Blessed are the Meek,
for They Shall Inherit the Earth
By Steve Martin
Those of you who have been reading your bulletin each week may have started to recognize a pattern emerging. We started with the opening words Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”1 Next we explored the meaning of Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”2 Now as we continue on our contemplative voyage through the Beatitudes we find Jesus’ declaration, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”3
When contrasted with the opinion of most people in our world today, this statement of truth stands apart from the norm. These words of our Lord speak a very different message about how to react to people and situations that threaten our comfort, security, and peace.
The world tells us we must be strong. We must take control and look out for number one. Never let anyone push you around. Don’t be a doormat. We’ve all heard statements like this when choosing a humble and non aggressive stance against unjust persecution.
Jesus guides us to a better way of dealing with the potentially hurtful circumstances of life. The Navarre Bible makes an excellent point about those who act with the kind of meekness Jesus is calling us to. The meek are “those who patiently suffer unjust persecution; those who remain serene, humble and steadfast in adversity, and do not give way to resentment or discouragement.”4
When someone hurts you or those you love, how do you choose to respond? When life gets in the way of your plans and aspirations do you react with irritability and impatience? This is unfortunately a very common response to difficulties. According to the Navarre Bible irritableness usually stems from a lack of humility and interior peace. If you reflect on your own personal experience, it won’t be difficult to recognize the truth in that observation.
Let’s take these words of our Lord to heart and remain prayerfully humble when we are faced with the challenges of a world that does not know Christ. Let’s cling to the Holy Spirit and choose meekness over arrogance and pride. Then we will know the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding in every adversity. Not only will we know this peace ourselves, but we’ll pass it on to others simply by following these instructions of Jesus. May God bless us and strengthen us with His grace as we follow him in meekness to heaven.
1Gospel of Matthew 5:3, 2Gospel of Matthew 5:4,
3Gospel of Matthew 5:5, 4The Navarre Bible, pg. 77