Blessed are the Poor

American Christianity is enamored with the version of looking at the poor that spiritualizes poverty. We’ve focused on the Matthew version that says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” That version can feel like permission not to have to face the hard reality of poverty in the world.

This is what the Luke version says (note, it’s the same Jesus saying both!):

Looking at his disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. - Luke 6:20

How does it make you feel to receive these words from our savior? If you are poor, do you feel blessed? If you are not poor, do you feel guilty? Sit with that for a moment and ask yourself why is it that you feel the way you feel.

As Dottie quoted in the message yesterday,

Jesus said "Blessed are the poor. “ He does not say, "Blessed is poverty” …Standing in solidarity with the poor began to mean taking a stand against inhumane poverty." - Gustavo Gutierrez

She emphasized that solidarity with the poor is what Jesus is getting at - that sense that as one community we gather around, and those of us who face the most material poverty stand centered in the community. How rare is that for the church?

Instead of feeling powerless in the sight of so much economic injustice in our world, take a moment now to reflect on what it might mean to take one step towards being in solidarity with the poor today.