Most Christians are familiar with the Gospel of Matthew’s Beatitudes (5:1-12) which are part of the Sermon on the Mount. Both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke have the Beatitudes. Matthew lists eight beatitudes and Luke lists four. Matthew’s setting has Jesus on the mountainside, thus the title “The Sermon on the Mount. The gospel of Luke has Jesus on a stretch of level ground, thus the title “the Sermon on the Plain”.
Both versions of the beatitudes are central to Jesus’ teachings as they summarize the pathways for a life of happiness as a disciple of Jesus. I think of the Beatitudes as a summary of the attitudes and actions characteristic of the life of a Christian (Also see Matthew chapter 25).
These attitudes are not acquired in a single moment but a process of growing in the Christian life, a process in discipleship. The beatitudes are “invitations to discipleship and communion
(Pope St. John II, Veritatis Splendor,16).
In most translations and versions of this passage, the beatitudes begin with the word “blessed”. This word in Greek and Latin means “happy”. In other translations and versions, the Beatitudes begin with the word “happy”- “Happy are…”
In Matthew’s beatitudes, Jesus pronounces blessings or happiness on those who are often viewed as not blessed or happy- the mourners, the merciful, the meek, and others.
“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land” (Matthew chapter 5:5).
Some people may think of meekness as weakness. Being a meek person does not mean being a doormat for others to trample. It is standing up for ourselves and others, especially when there is injustice. The biblical word for meek in Greek, as used in Matthew 5:5, means “gentle”, “mild”, or “humble”. Like humility, being a meek person conveys an awareness of one’s strengths, giftedness, shortcomings, and challenges while neither exaggerating one’s accomplishments and skills nor trivializing them. A meek person has a sense of gentleness and strength that is God- controlled.
In Gaudete et Exultate (Rejoice and be Glad), Pope Francis reminds us not to have an attitude of superiority over others but “to regard the faults of others with tenderness and meekness” (par.72). This does not mean that we should not correct and challenge others when appropriate, but it should be done in charity and love.
For me, meekness comes from strength. It is being secure enough in my own skin, that when needed, I am comfortable enough to allow another to increase, to flower while I stand in the background. Being meek is about helping another discover his or her own creative gifts and self-worth.
St John the Baptist shows us how to graciously step aside. “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Private Pondering:
Recall a time when you showed meekness to another.
By Sister Marie Leonard, OSB