June 10, 2024
by Tamora Whitney
Creighton University's English Department
click here for photo and information about the writer

Praying Ordinary Time

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer

Ordinary Time Symbols in Our Home

Praying in Times of Crisis

In the Gospel today we have the Beatitudes, where our suffering is acknowledged and comfort and recompense are promised. Life can certainly be hard. We do mourn. I know that for sure. It sometimes seems that justice is elusive. It can be a hard world. In the beatitudes we are told that this suffering will not last forever. We are told that we will have reward. And we are told that we are already blessed.

I’m an English teacher, so I pay attention to verb tenses. Every statement starts with “Blessed are” – that’s present tense. That’s right now. We are blessed right now, already. We don’t have to wait for that. The poor in spirit are blessed and the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Now.  Present tense.  Who are the poor in spirit? What does that mean? It’s those who are humble, who know that they need God, and who are open to him. It’s not the rulers, not the rich, not the smug; it’s the ordinary folks who are struggling, and who are trying their best.

Those who are struggling will find an end to their suffering. Maybe here on earth, that would be nice, but if not here, then in the next world. Those who mourn will be comforted. Everyone mourns. Everyone has lost or will lose a loved one. It’s so painful and seems that there is no comfort, but time eases somewhat, and we will be reunited with our loved ones in heaven. Those who are meek, who have no power, who have no control now will inherit the earth. That’s a lot of power in the future. If we seek righteousness, if we hunger and thirst for it, but cannot accomplish that now, we will one day be satisfied. If we show mercy to others, we will receive mercy ourselves. If we work for what is right and look for justice, and it seems out of reach, even if we don’t get it here, we will get it. Our reward will be great in heaven.

The humble, the meek, the persecuted, those who seek justice and righteous are already blessed. Right now. And that blessing is that they will find their comfort, their justice, righteousness. The suffering will not last forever, and the reward will be great in heaven.