Daily Devotion for Lent 2024, Day 3

 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

                                                Matthew 5:5 (NRSVue) 

This is obviously another reversal by Jesus because the meek were usually ignored (at best) in the ancient world and I'm not sure this is much different today.

The NRSV doesn't change much from the King James Version besides using "will" instead of "shall".  I prefer the Common English Bible's use of "humble" rather than "meek" in that humble is more widely used today.

In the common vernacular, meek may imply doormat which would really be a reversal.  Of course, this could have been the image that Jesus was going for.  It is difficult for us to get a handle on.

Oh, the irony of this graffiti!

I'm reminded of the Sermon on the Mount scene in Monty Python's Life of Brian where those on the fringes can't hear very well.  They start arguing with one another and almost get into a fist fight which is the perfect juxtaposition to Jesus stating "blessed are the meek..."

Those arguing and fighting are not only missing the point but they are angry with one another and definitely not blessed.  This scene could be a referendum on American society as a whole today.

It seems that we reward aggressiveness today much more quickly than humility.  But I've discovered that those with true power and authority who aren't self-centered or insecure don't need to demean or step on others through life.  

I'm reminded of the story of Chuck Norris who was bullied into moving seats at a local dive.  He left without a word and when the bully realized that he was messing with a martial arts expert, he apologized to Chuck.  He asked Chuck why he didn't beat him up and Chuck responded with, "What would that prove?"

Maybe this beatitude shows me that I should think and take a breath before I get upset.  This morning on my drive to work, I was trying to let a car onto the highway and he was trying to let me go ahead of him.  We both kept going slower and slower.  Then we each became frustrated and made a face toward the other because we each wanted to be the polite one!

He sped away through traffic and I just laughed at the the ridiculousness of the situation!

This beatitude is going to take some more reflection...

Prayer for the day: Loving God, we give thanks that you provide for us.  Help us to trust in you and look inwardly before we turn up the heat with others.  Let us see more things as small or even insignificant rather than getting upset or offended.  And may we share this inheritance rather than hoard it.  In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

 

Photo by David Seibold via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.