So while Jesus did emphasize ministry to the poor — and he challenges our attachment to wealth — he doesn’t require everyone to take a vow of poverty. Jonathan Dodson, Our Good Crisis, pg. 22 What does it mean to be “poor in spirit?” “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of…
As I continue to read and think about the Beatitudes, I am fascinated by the context and structure of the scripture in Matthew. Matthew actually records 5 sermons that Jesus preached (Mt. 5-7, 10, 13, 18, 23-25). The one we call “the Sermon on the Mount” is the first of those five. And it is…
There’s nothing quite like invoking holiness as a way to brag about your life. But calling something “blessed” has become the go-to term for those who want to boast about an accomplishment while pretending to be humble, fish for a compliment, acknowledge a success (without sounding too conceited), or purposely elicit envy. …The overuse of…