Bible Passage
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Reflection
What is meekness?
For some, meekness is associated with passivity, weakness, and timidity. It is characterised as a failure in opposition to winner takes it all, survival of the fittest, work hard play hard capitalistic culture. But what if meekness actually came from a place of strength? What if meekness meant thinking, speaking, and acting righteously, but from a place of gentleness, empathy and grace?
Nadia Bolz-Weber imagines the beatitudes as Jesus showering blessings down upon all sorts of people, including the meek. Shamelessly borrowing that format, here is my version of ‘blessed are the meek:’
Blessed are the meek. Blessed are those who give more than they receive. Blessed are those who take the time to explain, and understand. Blessed are the gentle, blessed are the frail. Blessed are the neuro-divergent, the survivors, the socially awkward. Blessed are those with no connections. Blessed are the dutiful, the ones barley keeping it together. Blessed are the single parents. Blessed are the ill, the carers, the disabled. Blessed are the dementia sufferers and the families who still visit. Blessed are the allies. Blessed are they who argue online with kindness. Blessed are they who include others, even those they don’t like. Blessed are the listeners. Blessed are they who see the good in people. Blessed are they who hold up others. Blessed are the small, the unnoticed, the ones who fall through the net, and those who try to help. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Practical Action
If meekness is a way of being, in what ways could you adjust your attitude, thoughts and actions to incorporate more meekness into the way you interact with others in day to day life?
Prayer
Lord, help us to show meekness in all that we think, say, and do. May we like Christ challenge injustice whilst showing kindness, empathy, and gentleness. Help us to welcome the friend, the stranger, and the enemy that we may proclaim your love to all. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Written by Caitlin Wakefield, former SCM Trustee and LGBTQIA representative on General Council.