Epiphany 4 – The Beatitudes: The Christian Way of Joy

 Epiphany 4 – The Beatitudes: The Christian Way of Joy

January 29, 2017

By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell


My old theology professor “Doc” Kramer once reminded us that, “If you’re not having any fun

out of life, there’s something wrong with your theology.” I will admit that thought sounded a

little off-beat coming from an old man. As if age, would in some way make having fun more

difficult.


I believe that the point he was trying to make was that our creator, God, did not make this world

for suffering and tears at any age. The biblical story of creation makes that intent clear in

Genesis. When God had finished putting the land, and sea, and animals, and people all together,

what did he say? “It is good!” and if it is good, enjoy it!


Old Doc Kramer was right; if you’re not having any fun out of life, take another look at what the

Genesis story is trying to tell us. Did you enjoy it?


Jesus underlines the whole intent of creation when he says, “I have come that you may have life

in abundance.” We are blessed by the beauty and sustaining company of fellow travelers, and we

are blessed by the opportunity and challenge of finding solutions to the problems we encounter

along the way.


The way I see it; the abundant life Jesus is talking about is the result of living into God’s plan in

peace. When we exchange God’s peace, as we will in a few minutes, we are living out God’s

desire for the abundant life He has in His heart for all of us. The word for peace in Hebrew is

Shalom. Shalom is a word that has a big embrace. It is a pastoral care word. When we say

PEACE, or SHALOM, we are really asking with God, “Are you well? Do you have enough

food? How is your family? How are things at work? How are you dealing with these icy

sidewalks?” I think we would agree that there is not enough time allotted for the “passing of the

peace ritual” but it can serve as an invitation.


When Our Lord introduced His disciples to the beatitudes, He took them on a hike up a

mountain. As you climb you will begin to see the landscape from a new perspective. That

experience of seeing things with a new perspective, may have been on our Lord’s teaching

agenda.


If you say there is not much joy in my life…. look again. If you feel like you are at the end of

your rope… look again. If you are having a hard time seeing through your tears…look again.

It may be that if we are teachable, and trusting, we may be privileged to see whatever struggle

we are in from a new and life energizing perspective. Here are some of the beatitudes from the

translation we find in The Message:


         You are blessed when you are at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of

            God and His rule.

         You are blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Perhaps only then

            can we appreciate the love and support of God’s larger family.

         You are blessed when you are content with just who you are… no more, no less. That’s

            the moment you find yourselves the proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

         You are blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete, or

            fight. That is when we discover who we really are and our place in God’s family.


We are called to be peacemakers, and discover what peacemakers allow.

We are called to be salt and light.


On the wilderness camping trips that I have led, we took turns being the cook for the day. One

morning the cook served up the oatmeal he had made, which was summarily rejected at first bite!

He had failed to add salt.


Think of how many meetings we have attended that were just Blaa, blaa, blaa…. That

desperately needed a blessing of God’s Shalom. Just a little “enthusiasm” salt. (Our staff

meetings at St. Paul’s start with a meditation, led in turn by members of the staff. Then in turn

we check in with how things are going in our personal lives. Then we deal with the agenda that is

now flavored with the blessings of God’s Shalom.)


In the sixty-four years that I have served as a priest, I have made thousands of hospital visit. I

learned many lessons. One lesson that has stuck with me, and I can now pass on to you, is that

we carry a lot of “stuff” as we make our rounds. Stuff like, “I don’t feel so well myself.” Or, “I

have a meeting in Spokane with barely enough time to get there.” Or, “The last visit just down

the hall really troubled me.”


So, I learned to say a prayer each time I entered the hospital. I pray, “Lord, heal me. Because I

don’t want to dump my troubles on my beautiful parishioners.”


Then, when I leave the hospital I would say another prayer, “Lord, have mercy on me. I know I

will have missed something.”


I learned that when I came to bless… I was blessed.

Peace be with you. Shalome be with you. Enjoy live, and help others enjoy theirs.

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