What is it, to be blessed?

Scripture:

Jeremiah 17:5-10  • 

Psalm 1  • 

1 Corinthians 15:12-20  • 

Luke 6:17-26

What is it, to be blessed? The Psalm and Old Testament reading from the prophet Jeremiah give us some clues. But what about Jesus' sermon on the plain as related in the gospel of Luke? Unlike Matthew's account of the sermon on the mount, Luke relates, among other things, that the poor, not the poor in spirit, the hungry, not those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, are blessed. Are Matthew and Luke talking about the same thing, or not?

And what about the "woes?" The rich, the full, those laughing, and those when all speak well of them? For those who are safe, have a comfortable home and shelter, plenty to eat, work or a comfortable retirement, friends and meaningful activities, what is Jesus trying to tell us about blessings, and being blessed? Consider "Blessings and Woes," by The Rev. Debie Thomas, and The Rev. Ken Kesselus' "Joining the Saints."