A Conclusion
Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5.3-11)
The Beatitudes.
The description of that blessed non-self-delusional state where I know that I am who I am and, thus, I know that I am not God.
That happy(1) existence where I, to paraphrase Antonio Porchia, raise my eyes and know that I am not the highest point.(2)
Now, truth to tell, I struggle with trusting God totally and at all times for all things. For, from time to time, I, in my selfishly self-interested individuality, suffer the delusion that I am the highest, the most important point; if not in the life of the world or in the lives of others, then, surely, in my own life.
So, it is that I think, I feel, I know why the Beatitudes ever astound me. For these words are not simply good advice, which I, by my own desires and devices, strive to practice. Rather, they, together, constitute a mirror, a looking glass through which I can behold my authentic reflection (especially when I lose my way along the paths of self-delusion): I always am poor in spirit – mournfully, meekly, hungrily and thirstily, mercifully, purely, peacefully, and perseveringly.
For me to believe and to know this and, thus, to let God let me be this is to inherit the kingdom of God.
Footnotes:
(1) “Happiness” is an alternate translation for the Latin, beatitudo, “blessedness.”
(2) Antonio Porchia (1885-1968); Italian-born Argentinian poet, author of Voces (Voices). The exact quote: If you do not raise your eyes you will think you are the highest point.
occasional observations of mind and heart, soul and spirit 
Paul,
As you like to say “I don’t have enough words” to convey how much I’ve loved (and anticipated) this 10 post series!
I LOVE the Beatitudes too!! Always have! They give me strength somehow…
I sincerely appreciate this “wrap up” because it gives me new focus!
I feel as if you wrote this part just for me…”So, it is that I think, I feel, I know why the Beatitudes ever astound me. For these words are not simply good advice, which I, by my own desires and devices, strive to practice. Rather, they, together, constitute a mirror, a looking glass through which I can behold my authentic reflection (especially when I lose my way along the paths of self-delusion): I always am poor in spirit – mournfully, meekly, hungrily and thirstily, mercifully, purely, peacefully, and perseveringly.”
As you know, I’m dismantling my home in a sense and moving from one floor to another. In the process I accidentally broke a mirror this week. I know that some people believe you’ll suffer bad luck…. but I didn’t feel that way when the mirror broke. As I cleaned up the glass I focused on breaking and throwing away the old me, so I can look into the new mirror of my life and see the new authentic me…one that I’ve been building over the last 3 years. God loved me through this entire process, and I hope that as I move on, living through and with the Beatitudes I’ll continue to become the authentic person I’m intended to be!
So grateful to have taken this “short course” from you to help me on this sometimes painful journey.
Much love!
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“…I can look into the new mirror of my life and see the new authentic me…one that I’ve been building over the last 3 years. God loved me through this entire process, and I hope that as I move on, living through and with the Beatitudes I’ll continue to become the authentic person I’m intended to be!”
This, my dearest sister, is what I call powerful testimony! As I read and reflect on these your words, I’m sure, over the course of the past three years, that you have looked back many, many times to contemplate the arc of your life, your development, your evolution. Another struck me. You already, at this very moment in time, are “the authentic person (you’re) intended to be.” And, in each and every instantaneously passing moment, the same is true. Why do I say that? Because I perceive you to be consciously contemplating your being and becoming each day and throughout each day. That kind of intentional, prayerful, faithful focus means, to me, that you are open to every new revelation – whether it come from above via the Spirit or from within (and, truth to tell, who among us can tell the difference, indeed, if there is a difference, which is to say that God is the Author of all truest revelation!). And to be that open and welcoming of new insight is to be authentic, that is, true to yourself and, as I’m wont to say, your self.
Love you
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Ohhhhhh my!! THANK YOU PRA!! I’ve really been working on myself as you know!! You’ve just made my day!! In truth, when the mirror broke I felt I was breaking away from the old me and was FREE! I happily threw those pieces away!!
Love you too!
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You, my dearest Loretta, are doing grandly well! Carry on! Love
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