The Best Water
The best water I ever drank was while on a camping trip. We had hiked quite a distance in the New Mexico Mountains. Several of us ran out of water with several miles to hike. We had less than a quart between 10 of us. When we reached camp we were able to get more water yet we had to wait for the purification tablets to work. That meant we were without water for about an hour longer. Later that evening it was also a good dinner because we were all hungry. The need and desire became connected. Sleep felt good because we were tired. We were blessed by the experience. We came to understand being satisfied.
This memory helps me understand the Beatitudes.
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus in the Beatitudes is saying that in being in the right attitude we are set to be blessed. The process of blessing is in motion. Blessed are those who long for the right things… for they can look forward to the day when they will be satisfied. Jesus turns the world upside down in saying that comfort and self absorption are not the ends or the means to a meaningful life. This then leads me to the question; am I a person who longs for the right things, the things that will satisfy? The world today keeps telling me the things I should long for, but do I listen to the words of my teacher, my Lord? Do I long for the things that will satisfy?
