"Blessed...."

​     In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we hear this word repeated nine times.  Here in Matthew 5, Jesus begins His sermon on the mount, and we call these opening words, “The Beatitudes”, meaning “declarations of blessedness”.
      The word “blessed” means more than “happy”.  Happiness is an emotion often dependent on outward circumstances.  Whereas blessed is a well-being and joy that is based on the grace and love that God has for us.  And God’s grace and love comes to us, not because we deserve it or have done anything to earn it.  Rather, it is in the nature and actions of God that brings us into a state of blessedness.  And this is most evident in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our salvation.
     And so we are blessed no matter what the outward circumstances are in our lives or world.  Jesus describes those who are blessed in a variety of ways, from people who are poor in spirit and who mourn, to those who are merciful, pure in heart, to those who are persecuted.  Yet in each and every one of these circumstances, you are blessed!
    As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39, “neither death nor life, neither angel nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
    I may not know what you are experiencing in your life today, whether it is grief, anxieties, trials, or having a wonderful day.  But this I know:  you are blessed!  Through the grace and love that God in Christ has for each and every one of you!