Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on "pray" to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
First, a confession: I have never read the Bible. I do not say this as a heathen would. I think reading the Bible would be a fine thing for me to do, and I admire those who have undertaken to do so. But, like most things that are laborious and time-consuming, it will not happen until my retirement -- if and when I am ever able to have one. Therefore, my knowledge of Scripture is limited to Sunday sermons at my Roman Catholic cathedral. I attend each and every weekend -- in casual clothes and without any make-up -- mostly because something horrendous always happens in my life any week that I don't.
I have two more confessions for the Roman Catholics among you. First, I have forgotten all of my Baltimore catechism. Everything after the first question (Who is God?) and the answer (God is the Supreme Being) has been lost in the grey matter of my aging brain. Secondly, I have not entered a confessional since sometime in the 1980s when I was still single and guilt-tripping over my unrequited flirtation with a married man in my office. Unrequited, not because I was such a chaste individual, but because I could never see the upside for me in that sort of a relationship. And, in the 1980s, I was all about the upside.
Given all this, it is somewhat intimidating (and, for me, fortuitous) to be assigned this date to moderate our weekly gathering because I think the Sunday gospel at my church is one of the most wondrous of the liturgical year: the Sermon on the Mount.
As someone who is not a true Bible aficionado, this passage has long been a cornerstone for me. It begins at Matthew 5:3. I think that Matthew 5:3 through 7:29 should be published separately under the title Everything You Ever Needed to Know to Be A Good Person (or, alternatively, an audio version should be released entitled The Complete Solid Gold Hits of Jesus Christ: 30-33 A.D.) Even if you are not a Christian or you are Jewish or a Muslin or an atheist or whatever you are and whatever you believe or don't -- these words should be part of your collection.
I don't think you need to believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God. I am not 100% sure myself. Who, in this life, can know that as a fact? I never pray directly to Jesus. I speak to God because it's my style to go straight to the top and communicate directly. But, if you read the passage that begins with the Sermon on the Mount, I don't think you can doubt the wisdom of the words that Jesus spoke. I, personally, think he was the best human that ever lived. I am not one to sport WWJD bracelets -- and most times I fall way short of what he would think I should do -- but everybody needs a human role model and he is mine.
You can play out Matthew 5:3 through 7:20 in twelve-point type in four pages. It's all there and it's all you need -- do unto others; be reconciled to your brother; love your enemies (that one's tough); pray silently and give alms quietly; judge not lest you be judged; ask and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find; and, the Lord's Prayer, too.
For today, just reflect on Matthew verses 5:3 through 5:10:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Yesterday, our priest said "blessed" means "happy". For me, using "happy" in place of "blessed" makes the passage more useful and meaningful. It's easier to identify with being "happy" than with being "blessed". Does money make me happy? Only to the point where my needs are met. Beyond that, not so much. Does power make me happy? I'm not a power person, so no, it does not. Does having friends make me happy? Always. Does love make me happy? Absolutely.
What makes you happy? Think about it. Light a candle. Then, please tell us in the comments below so we can help make it happen for you.
Very importantly, there is a recommended diary up today that is requesting donations so that Sara R can have a much-needed surgery. Sara R is a friend to all and would the first to come to the aid of any of us if we were sick. I didn't know about her condition until yesterday, so if you are unaware of it, I can tell you that helping Sara will make you very, very happy. I felt privileged to be included. It has been said that Sara doesn't have any health insurance. But I think she has the best insurance any of us can ever have: Friends who love and care about her.