Well, right off the bat, how confusing is that?
How are the poor blessed?
He gives no further explanation and then goes on to state something similar about the hungry, the weeping, and those persecuted.
I understand that Saint Luke was writing his account for an entirely different set of people than Saint Matthew, but thank goodness for Saint Matthew’s recount of the day.
Saint Matthew also writes that Jesus stated “Blessed are the poor,” but also adds “in Spirit.”
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit.
Now we are getting somewhere.
Hopefully, we can make something out of this.
I was once told that the “poor in spirit” can be looked upon as someone who realizes that they are missing something and also has a desire to gain what they do not have.
So, someone who is Poor in Spirit is someone who realizes that their relationship with God or with Christ is lacking and they possess a desire in their heart to grow that relationship.
It is in that understanding of the lack of closeness and their desire to rectify the situation that their true blessing comes about.
Because not knowing that you are lacking something, or having no desire to do anything about it, both bring you to the same place. Nowhere.
But knowing that there is more out there that could be had and knowing that we can do something about it can be the catalyst to a life-long journey toward happiness.
We can commit to building and growing that relationship.
We can pray more regularly and more fervently.
We can embrace the Sacraments more devoutly, especially confession or reconciliation.
We can study the faith more.
We can read about God’s heroes, the saints, and see how they were able to grow so close to God.
We can put our talents and gifts to use in serving others.
We can ask our Mother Mary to help us by asking for her intercession, praying the rosary, and participating in Novenas.
We can truly prepare ourselves for Mass each week by pre-reading the scriptures, praying before Mass, and worthily receiving Jesus in the most Holy Eucharist.
We can listen intently to the scriptures being read, the Gospel proclaimed, and to the homilies with an open heart and desiring to have the word of God transform us.
We can desire the Holy Eucharist to transform us.
And always seeking to hear God’s voice in the quiet of our hearts and in the encounters of our lives.
Also, seeking to not only improve our relationship with God, but with others as well, especially those within the Body of Christ, our Catholic and Christian family.
And speaking of relationships, this ties in nicely to National Marriage week that we are currently in, and today as World Marriage Day.
Did you know that it has been said that the closest thing we have here on earth that represents the Love and relationship that God has for us, is represented in the love that a man and wife have for each in the union and Sacrament of Holy marriage and that relationship?
That relationship of unconditional love, generosity, forgiveness, courage, hope, mercy, and so much more.
The same message holds true in the message from “Blessed are Poor in Spirit” as in “Blessed are those in marriage” who know that there could and should be more and that they desire it.
I don’t know about you, but I have yet to find the perfect marriage. I have seen some pretty good ones, but perfect, no.
I have also seen some pretty struggling and even toxic marriages.
Yet, a marriage that has within it a realization that it could be more, could be better, could be healthier, and could be more loving, and having the desire to make it so is a blessing for sure.
There are many ways to help a marriage.
• One can just begin to be nicer to the other person.
• Trying to see things from their perspective.
• Forgetting about who is doing more for the other.
• Communicating more directly and not assuming things.
• And Praying together would be a great start.
I remember quite a few years ago a young man came to me for spiritual direction.
He stated that he was getting angrier and angrier with his wife and that she was doing less and less for him. The marriage was falling apart.
He shared that he kept track of the nice things that he did for her and he counted how many things she did for him and the amounts didn’t match.
After another 20 minutes of further sharing, I posed this question to the young man:
What do you think would happen if you stopped counting and comparing and for the next 30 days just focused on serving your wife in a selfless and sacrificial way and ask for and expect nothing in return?
At first, he looked at me as if I was crazy, but something must have sparked within him, probably God’s grace, and he threw his arms up in a semi-defeated way and said, “I have no idea what that would do, but what do I have to lose. I do it.”
30 days later he returned.
He looked different.
He looked relaxed and peaceful.
We sat down and he stated:
“I didn’t really think it was going to work, but I did as your suggested.
I not only did the things she asked of me, but I looked for things to do for her without her asking.
I also was just nice to her.
I didn’t expect anything back.
I think at first, she thought I was sick or something, but she liked it.
It took about a week and my tendency to track favors disappeared.
I just kept telling myself “I am here to serve you as a good and faithful husband.”
He then paused for a moment, tried to catch his breath, and tears began to roll down his face.
Now mind you, this was a rough and tough guy, a manly-man, these were life-changing tears.
After a few moments, he regained composure and said “I have never been closer to my wife than I am now.
I don’t count favors anymore; she probably does more for me and my happiness now than ever.
I was such a jerk.”
I saw him a few more times over the next few months, we focused more on his prayer life than his marriage, and each time he stated a similar statement, “I am happier now than I have ever been.”
This was clearly a success story and God’s grace helped a man who knew he wanted something more in his marital relationship and was willing to do something about.
There are other ways to get help other than spiritual direction.
There are marriage retreats, marriage encounters, and workshops.
We are even preparing to offer an marital workshop called “Enrich” later this year in our parish.
There are also podcasts and videos.
And there are many good books for advice and guidance.
Regrettably, some relationships and situations are more severe and serious than others.
And although good spiritual direction is always helpful, it is not the same as professional counseling.
We are very lucky to have on our parish campus, “Rejoice Counseling,” catholic counselors that one can make an appointment with.
Our Archdiocese also offers on their website an online course called “Breakthrough” which is a series of videos the couple can watch together or separately to better understand their conflict triggers, how to process resentment, and tap into their natural ability for forgiveness and joy.
There is also Retrouvaille, a weekend retreat, known as a lifeline for married couples in trouble.
This has been a very effective retreat and program for many who had just about lost all hope.
The Archdiocesan Website also offers help with connecting with Catholic Councilors.
So, to sum it all up,
In just those first few words of the Gospel – “Blessed are the Poor”
• Gives us hope when we realize that our relationship with God, our spouse, our children, and anyone else important to us, could be better
• And gives us assurance for a better tomorrow for all of us who possesses a desire to work to grow those relationships,
Yes, we might just be temporarily poor,
but we are surely blessed,
and we can begin our journey today
toward a life of growing happiness, peace, and joy.
Blessed are we who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is ours.
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