Matthew 5:1-12
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 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 righteousness’ sake, 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.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
" Blessed are the poor in Spirit"
St. Matthew tries to sum up Jesus' teaching throughout His ministry in Galilee in three chapters, 5, 6 and 7, where He proclaims the Gospel is fulfilling the Old Testament. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" Matthew 5:17. His teaching goes beyond the Letter of the Law to the Spirit of the Law. "The letter kills but the Spirit gives life" 2 Corinthians 3:6.
The Beatitudes point out three realities of faith:
1) Those who live the Beatitudes confirm that human response to God's love and presence is possible, even if it looks strange to non-believers;
2) The faithful are empowered with efficient energy; and
3) The faithful are expected to experience challenges, difficulties and troubles.
The first beatitude summarizes the core of Jesus' teaching, but we need to understand what poor in spirit means in Biblical culture. Scriptures help us with Abraham's model of faith and obedience to God. He left his family, his pagan gods, his land, his culture and went into the unknown trusting the True God. He believed in The Promise announced by the angels. He was even ready to offer his unique, beloved son in response to God's request. The most precious things in his life were his need to be God's friend, to listen to His voice, and to be obedient to His will. This is what Eastern culture means by poor in spirit. It's not about how wealthy you are. It's about your soul, your aims in life and what you seek.
When God is not in our life, we are poor OF spirit. When God is in our life, we become poor IN spirit. His presence provides for our essential needs. "'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. God's presence grants flavor, joy, peace and contentment.
When God is present in our life, even when we are hungry or thirsty, we are satisfied thanks to His presence. When we are mourning, we are consoled by His presence, "The Father of compassion and God of all comfort" 2 Corinthians 1:3.
Many translations of the Beatitudes use the future tense. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." The Syriac Aramaic version uses the present tense. "They are satisfied"... here and now, wherever God is present, our needs are fulfilled.
God's presence in our life creates a positive energy within us. We are not asked what "not to do" as in the Ten Commandments, but to now, "go and do the same" with love, charity and mercy. This energy makes us "peace makers," not peace observers.
Jesus tells us that when we reach this point of faith and commitment, we may be persecuted for the sake of justice and for His name. The Beatitudes become for us a source of hope and encouragement. We can be certain and sure of our Christian identity and of our mission to be "salt of the earth and light for the world" Matthew 5:13-16.
Hope, courage and internal joy are given to the "Poor in Spirit!"