I just wanted to wish all Christians a Happy Easter celebration. Although raised in a household with a Catholic Dad and Lutheran Mom, I’m not much of a practicing Christian of any flavor now-a-days (neither Protestant or Catholic). Winnie, as a Buddhist with essentially no exposure to Christianity before meeting me, doesn’t really understand the significance of today’s celebration.
For us, today has been a quiet day dedicated to unpacking boxes and arranging the house. But I do remember some of my Bible teachings, and want to reflect on them briefly.
It was a post on another blog that helped me recall The Eight Beatitudes as written in the Gospel of St. Matthew (5:3-10). These are:
For us, today has been a quiet day dedicated to unpacking boxes and arranging the house. But I do remember some of my Bible teachings, and want to reflect on them briefly.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
- Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land. (Verse 4)
- Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
- Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
- Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
- Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
- Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)
While not a practicing Christian, I’m not antagonistic to practicing Christians. I am antagonistic to those who use Christianity as a weapon to beat other people into submission. I have developed a deep-seated animosity towards anyone who claims the mantle of religion as an excuse to justify whatever antagonistic behavior they are engaged in.
More than anything else, the antagonistic behavior of way too many “Christians,” and the justifications of this antagonistic behavior by way too many other people, has turned me away from “The Church.”
I’d like to see more “Christians” practice these Beatitudes on a regular basis.
Happy Easter to All!
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