We Are Blessed

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [Matt 5:3, NRSV]

You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. [Matt 5:3, The Message]

Today's gospel lesson is the Beatitudes from Matthew 5.  "Blessed" an interesting word. The original Greek, MAKARIOS, is usually translated into English as "blessed," "happy," or "fortunate." However, things get more interesting when we turn to the Aramaic Bible which uses the word TUBWAYHUN. This can be translated as "happy and aligned with the One," "tuned to the Source," or "healthy and healed." Furthermore, the root word TUB in Aramaic means "ripe" as in the fullness of time. Therefore "blessed" can also mean "to be in rhythm with the Holy One" or "to be in the right time, place and action with God."

When we take all of these word meanings into consideration, we get a very rich picture of the word "blessed" that challenges those who see God's blessing solely in terms of material things. Both the Greek and Aramaic are telling us that "blessing" is a spiritual thing. It is something that happens inside of us. It is the feeling that we are moving in sync with God no matter what chaotic events are happening in the world around us.

I don't know about you, but if that's what being "blessed" is all about then sign me up immediately! As a gay man who also happens to be a pastor, I am confronted from time to time with great hostility. People send me nasty letters. Some of my colleagues will not speak to me at all. We had two big rocks thrown through the front glass doors of my church. And so on, and so forth. Perhaps you've experienced similar situations.

Yet, in spite of all this, I feel blessed. I'm far from perfect, but most of the time I feel "tuned to the source," "healthy and healed." I try my best "to be in rhythm with the Holy One" and hope that all my readers out there will seek to do the same. God desires to bless those of us in the LGBT community. Let's open up our hearts and receive the gift!