tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

If you have been a reader of this blog for any length of time,  you may have come to the realization that "tomorrow" is more of a euphemism for "some time in the future" - perhaps six hours, or twenty four, or even a couple of weeks.  It just so happens that I'm sitting in my own home BY MYSELF with no one here because they are all at a movie for several hours and I'm having some wine AND some chocolate and decided to spend this time in a one sided conversation with all of you, my dear readers.

That's how special you are to me.  

So when I said "more tomorrow" in THIS POST I really meant the next time I feel like writing on this topic and I have the time to write on this topic meeting in some convenient moment.

Was writing about beatitudes.  Not just any beatitudes but THE Beatitudes.

Having swiftly and not too effectively dealt with the first four, I move on now to these last four beatitudes and how they play out in my life.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.  I'm reasonably confident in my mercy abilities, as I understand this particular phrase.  People who are merciful will be, in their turn,  treated with mercy.  That's nice, and actually, pretty fair.  I must admit, however, occasionally I am merciful for the sole reason that it will help me be treated mercifully and not for any other reason, especially sometimes not because I feel like it.

Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.  This is a tough one.  I don't think clean of heart is one of my strengths.  I imagine that Jesus means the clean of heart don't think bad thoughts about others.  Or even say nasty things about others.  As in, clean, not a grubby sort of heart that is kind of self centred and perhaps even vain. Darn.  I would like to see God, but I am definitely weak on the clean of heart issue.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  Here's the thing.  I AM a peacemaker.  But only when I FEEL like it and I wonder if that really counts.  Perhaps I will be called a child of God when He feels like it.  Or maybe a sanguine-y sort of, not as committed as I should be child of God.  Working on it.

Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Now, I shine here.  I am okay with persecution and suffering in general.  Suffering is one of my specialities, and I almost always consider it to be some form or another of persecution, perhaps sometimes self induced, but it's all part of the learning curve of holiness, right?

And so, I hope that these reflections have added to your life in some small way.  Thanks for listening.