Being Blessed

We read Jesus' Beatitudes ("Blessings") two Sundays in a row: Once the way they are told in the Gospel of Matthew (5:3-12) and then as they are told by Luke (6:20-26). Both versions have similarities and yet they are quite different. 

Matthew's Jesus blesses those who are "poor in spirit." Luke's blesses "you who are poor." Matthew's Jesus only extends blessings, Luke's also incorporates "woes:" "Woe to you who are rich, woe to you who are full now, woe to you who are laughing now." Fascinating stuff! But also challenging. My interpretation is that Jesus is saying, as long as others are poor and weeping, you cannot be rich and be laughing and still be part of the kingdom of God. That's not God's vision for the world: for some to be well off and others to suffer.
"Woe" to you who are rich and happy means, get on board with the kingdom of God! Become a part of the new world that God wants to build where there is no more poverty and injustice!
It's up to us where we place ourselves in those categories: do we consider ourselves to be poor, or rich? Hungry, or full? Laughing, or weeping? It's also up to us how we respond to these words of comfort that are calls to action at the same time.
Jesus healed people who had all kinds of diseases and were troubled with unclean spirits BEFORE he ever said a word to them. He made them well, and then he spoke. Because he knew they wouldn't be able to hear anything until their suffering had been alleviated.
Jesus wasn't all talk. He walked the walk and talked the talk.
That is my inspiration, my challenge, and my blessing.
However you may interpret the words of the Beatitudes, know that you are blessed. Know that you are loved. Know that you are a blessing.