Yesterday we spent some time reflecting on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). As I see it, there are a couple of ways we can view the Beatitudes. We can chose to view the Beatitudes as platitudes. A platitude is a trite, meaningless, or biased statement. Platitudes are easily dismissed.

Another option would be to view the Beatitudes as opportunities. I am not suggesting that we seek out poverty or grief or persecution. Yet we all know that struggles will come into our lives. When those struggles do come, the Beatitudes remind us that God is with us. The Beatitudes let us know that we are blessed. In that way, our struggles can become opportunities to seek out God, to turn to God, and to trust in God.

Sometimes, when reading the Beatitudes, we we dismiss them as not applying to us. In this way they become platitudes. I believe that the Beatitudes are so much more than trite, meaningless statements. It seems to me that the Beatitudes speak to the way Jesus calls us to live in the world and in relationship to God. How do you understand the Beatitudes? In what ways do these bold statements of Jesus challenge or confirm your faith?