Listen

“Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

“Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.”

Matthew 5:10-12

Think

When I was in middle school, each grade awarded superlatives to students who were the “top of their class.” These awards were selected by classmates to identify the Funniest, Most Athletic, who had the Most School Spirit, etc. I may not have told anyone at the time, but I really, really wanted to be recognized for something, anything, that would say that I was special and that other people thought so, too.

Most of us want to know we’re special, and the easiest way to feel that is for others to tell us that we’re special. But in this Beatitude, Jesus has his eyes fixed squarely on those who don’t get such special attention. On the contrary, these are the people who are singled out for the opposite reasons. Instead of being praised, they’re mocked. Instead of being celebrated, they’re ridiculed.

In God’s eyes, Jesus says, these are the ones who are special. These are the ones who are favored. These are the ones whom God will make happy.

What could be a better award?

Dave McNeely

Pray

God, I admit that sometimes I look for praise in the wrong places.

It’s not easy to be ridiculed and harassed, but I want to trust that doing the right thing will always lead me to the deepest happiness.

Help me to have faith and help me to be faithful.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Go

May God meet you in the margins
And find you in the cracks.
May God bless you in the wanting
And in everything you lack.
May God fill the empty spaces
And become your all in all.
May God lead you to the places
Where you’re the answer to God’s call.