Are we guinea pigs or are we men?

Matthew 5:1-10

          If you are old enough or have been able to watch old movies you may have seen the classic of Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland as kids. The have nothing to do any no real assets but they take stock of what they do have and put on a play. From nothingness springs this whole great adventure and a wonderful play. I suppose now it would seem hokey but they had fun and the fact they really had nothing did not stop them from being happy.

            I can't help think of all the people who have nothing but seem to have everything important. I've spoken of it before but I always think of those dirt poor families in the Dominican Republic I visited who had nothing by worldly standards but seemed rich in spirit. They were very happy and very faithful. 

             The world has one set of standards and we often buy into them, after all it's hard to resist things that are pounded into by everything around you. Media, neighbors, family.  Living on this chic Island, the notion of keeping up with the Jones' often takes on a new meaning, taken to new heights. Perhaps the notion was invented here. Buying into what the world says in happiness assures nothing and perhaps simply mesmerizes you or deludes you into a state somewhere between happiness and boredom. As long as you are distracted you feel ok but never truly happy.

            This passage gives hope to all of us, especially those that may be judged by the worlds standards as 'not as good'. There is a message for everyone, especially the marginalized that you are blessed, you are holy and that you are an heir to the kingdom of heaven. You are a beloved child of God.

         If we buy into the rat race we will be like a guinea pig on a spinning wheel, running as fast as we can and really going no where. We need to step, get off the tread mill and see how blessed we are just in ourselves and not because of anything the world has to offer. Our humanity, our relationships and our love are the key to happiness and salvation.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 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.