The Beatitudes - “The meek shall inherit the earth.”
Yesterday while listening to a conversation between Krista Tippett and the poet Michael Longley on the NPR program “On Being” I heard Mr. Longley refer to Jesus “as a proto-socialist. And the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, are as good a system to live by as any that I am think of.” Of course, I thought. I have long believed that Jesus was advocating a shared approach to using resources and taking care of each other. I did need to refresh my memory about the Greek word prötos which is generally translated as first. Then I reread the Beatitudes.
As most readers will recall, the first Beatitude says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
After reading this one could be easily forgiven if one immediately thought, “Why would being passive be a good thing.” In fact, the Greek work, πραΰς or praus is generally translated as meek. Meek is understood, by Biblical scholars to mean mild and gentle. These scholars do not consider the word meek to indicate weakness or passivity. Indeed, when I think of meek I think of an often very strong, humble person who does not allow himself or herself to just react but is one is able to hold on to their own core values no matter what the other person is doing. Most often the behavior of Jesus, as depicted most often in the Gospels, could be seen as gentle but very strong. Whether he is being criticized for talking to the prostitute without requiring her to be contrite, or he is greeting Judas with a hug and a kiss, Jesus is clearly behaving in a way which is consistent with his core beliefs. He does not apologize for his behavior but neither does he criticize those who find fault with his behavior. Of course, there are times when his human temper seems to briefly takeover such as with the money changers.
Indeed, the meek are the strongest – the ones who cannot be swayed to react with hate, judge, be negative or attempt to control another with violence. Matthew in chapter 5, versus 38 and 39, Jesus is reported as having said, “ 38 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek,turn to him the other also;”
In this same chapter of Matthew, Jesus is reported to have said, “…43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
It is interesting that the teaching of the Buddha embodies the same wisdom. What many may see as weakness is taught by the Buddha as a strength. Refraining from judging oneself or others is taught as a higher spiritual goal which, in the long run will help one attain enlightenment or become a person of whom one can be proud. It takes a very strong person to not react with angry, judgmental works and, yet, without withdrawing love and support.
I think of this first of the Beatitudes as a very powerful way of holding on to oneself – of staying intact. It seems to be that every time one gives someone else the power to get one to behave in a way which is inconsistent with one’s core values then one has given away a part of oneself. If one continues to give away a part of oneself than at the end of this life journey there is nothing of oneself left to “inherit the earth.” I understand the phrase “inherit the earth” to mean that legacy which one leaves behind when one ends this life journey. For some there is a belief in a more literal “inheriting of the earth.” For others there is the promise of the next life journey with the potential of graduate school if one has made progress in holding on to oneself.
Most of we parents seem to understand the concept well when we are teaching our children. We say to our children, “You do X. I don’t care if all the other children are doing Y. You know the right thing to do.” Yet as adults it is very easy to fall into the trap of blaming other people, places or events for our behavior.
…43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love yourenemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Living this beatitude is not even close to being easy. It is tough to not allow the behavior of others to dictate our reaction and consequent behavior. It is indeed a process of being honest, non-judgmental and unconditionally accepting of where we are in putting on the coat of many colors which will give us the strength of meekness.
Written November 5, 2016
Yesterday while listening to a conversation between Krista Tippett and the poet Michael Longley on the NPR program “On Being” I heard Mr. Longley refer to Jesus “as a proto-socialist. And the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, are as good a system to live by as any that I am think of.” Of course, I thought. I have long believed that Jesus was advocating a shared approach to using resources and taking care of each other. I did need to refresh my memory about the Greek word prötos which is generally translated as first. Then I reread the Beatitudes.
As most readers will recall, the first Beatitude says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
After reading this one could be easily forgiven if one immediately thought, “Why would being passive be a good thing.” In fact, the Greek work, πραΰς or praus is generally translated as meek. Meek is understood, by Biblical scholars to mean mild and gentle. These scholars do not consider the word meek to indicate weakness or passivity. Indeed, when I think of meek I think of an often very strong, humble person who does not allow himself or herself to just react but is one is able to hold on to their own core values no matter what the other person is doing. Most often the behavior of Jesus, as depicted most often in the Gospels, could be seen as gentle but very strong. Whether he is being criticized for talking to the prostitute without requiring her to be contrite, or he is greeting Judas with a hug and a kiss, Jesus is clearly behaving in a way which is consistent with his core beliefs. He does not apologize for his behavior but neither does he criticize those who find fault with his behavior. Of course, there are times when his human temper seems to briefly takeover such as with the money changers.
Indeed, the meek are the strongest – the ones who cannot be swayed to react with hate, judge, be negative or attempt to control another with violence. Matthew in chapter 5, versus 38 and 39, Jesus is reported as having said, “ 38 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek,turn to him the other also;”
In this same chapter of Matthew, Jesus is reported to have said, “…43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
It is interesting that the teaching of the Buddha embodies the same wisdom. What many may see as weakness is taught by the Buddha as a strength. Refraining from judging oneself or others is taught as a higher spiritual goal which, in the long run will help one attain enlightenment or become a person of whom one can be proud. It takes a very strong person to not react with angry, judgmental works and, yet, without withdrawing love and support.
I think of this first of the Beatitudes as a very powerful way of holding on to oneself – of staying intact. It seems to be that every time one gives someone else the power to get one to behave in a way which is inconsistent with one’s core values then one has given away a part of oneself. If one continues to give away a part of oneself than at the end of this life journey there is nothing of oneself left to “inherit the earth.” I understand the phrase “inherit the earth” to mean that legacy which one leaves behind when one ends this life journey. For some there is a belief in a more literal “inheriting of the earth.” For others there is the promise of the next life journey with the potential of graduate school if one has made progress in holding on to oneself.
Most of we parents seem to understand the concept well when we are teaching our children. We say to our children, “You do X. I don’t care if all the other children are doing Y. You know the right thing to do.” Yet as adults it is very easy to fall into the trap of blaming other people, places or events for our behavior.
…43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love yourenemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Living this beatitude is not even close to being easy. It is tough to not allow the behavior of others to dictate our reaction and consequent behavior. It is indeed a process of being honest, non-judgmental and unconditionally accepting of where we are in putting on the coat of many colors which will give us the strength of meekness.
Written November 5, 2016
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