Creator's Blessing

Matthew 5:1-12: Creator’s Blessing

5th Sunday of Epiphany, Feb. 1, 2026

Rev. Heather Carlson, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Medicine Hat, AB

 

• Memorized and marked it as the “Old Testament” version (meaning KJV)

• What does “blessed” mean? My first Bible said “Happy.” But it didn’t make much sense to be happy about persecution and crying! 

• And it was confusing when I was told these were the “be-attitudes” and I was to strive for being poor in spirit and insulted? That didn’t make much sense either!

 

The Beatitudes began to make sense for me in ministry. First with people grieving. Distracted, difficult to sleep and eat. Blurred while the world went on apace. Yet they told me this time was precious. Gratitude that welled up for loved one, and life. A heart that was softened to others who grieved. Letting go of habits and attitudes that no longer helped. In the midst of their grieving, they were comforted. 

 

And I began to see it in the people of God. A widow with no family was dying of an infectious disease, and the congregation organized a prayer vigil to be with her so she would not die alone. A man who lost his wife of 50+ years showed up to a church anniversary weekend and never sat alone. A choir that showed up to sing at the funeral because a mother called asking if she could have a funeral for her gay son who’d been shunned by his circle.

 

Then I saw the kingdom of God among the meek. It can mean the humble, but it also means the insignificant. Those with no influence or status. There was Steve who came to worship every Sunday. Because of his developmental disability he lived in a group home. Steve’s passion was hockey, and if you hadn’t caught the game on Saturday, Steve could fill you in on all the details at church. We had a practice of asking for prayer requests in the service, and Steve always put up his hand first asking for prayers for his friends. I wondered how I could weave that into a prayer week after week and even wondered if I might have to stop asking, until I began to see that Steve had an eye for kindness and compassion. Those who were gentle and loving with him were a gift among us. A sign of the kingdom at hand.

 

Then came the poor in spirit. A handful of misfits who sat in the back row and had dubbed themselves “sinner’s row.” One told me he wanted to be a Christian, but he just couldn’t feel God. So he wasn’t sure if it took. Yet he was the one who would consistently drop by my office during a hard week with a word of encouragement. He was the one who pulled out his network to find a job for a young man new to our area. 

 

Another wondered if she’d be welcome at Bible Study. She was well into her 70’s and had never been. She thought it was for those who were smart, and spiritual. She struggled with mental health issues. She came, and her questions and curiosity were a gift to us all. The kingdom of God among us. 

 

N. T. Wright says, “The Beatitudes are not instructions on how to get blessed; they are announcements of blessing.” People without spiritual credentials finding themselves participating in God’s unfolding kingdom.

 

And that changes everything. 

 

It’s no coincidence Matthew tells us Jesus goes up a mountain to teach. Mountains are places of revelation. Abraham goes up a mountain ready to sacrifice his son, his way of blessing, and meets God who shows him another way. Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the law. The Jerusalem temple is built on a hill to shine light to the peoples. Now Jesus goes up a mountain, and announces good news to the downtrodden, and those desperate for healing and help. 

 

And instead of giving them advice for self-improvement or a checklist for moral success. He tells us what God is already doing and who God is already claiming. 

 

Blessed are you…

 

I learned more about that word “blessed” too. Yes, there is a sense of happiness, but not the kind that comes from candy. Where things are sweet, but as soon as the candy runs out, it’s all over. It’s more like a nourishing meal. Your belly is full, the food was delicious, you have a sense of satisfaction, and the energy to do the work ahead, no matter how difficult. 

 

Blessed is to be touched with the favour of God. Filled, satisfied, energized for the work ahead, no matter how difficult. And there is difficult work to be done. 

 

For blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Cultivating the desire for justice, faithfulness, and integrity. Allowing scripture and worship to retrain our appetites. What is right is not always popular.

 

Blessed are those who are merciful. Doing not just what is right, but generous. Undeservedly generous. We forgive more quickly than feels reasonable. We assume the best before assuming the worst. We show the patience God has shown us.

 

Blessed are the pure in heart. We align private life with public faith. We reduce divided loyalties. We choose honesty over performance.

 

Allowing ourselves to be shaped by God’s kingdom will more often than not, lead us into conflict. Persecution, insults, and the need to make peace. Called into the fray to make peace. We refuse to dehumanize those we disagree with. We work toward reconciliation, not just keeping everyone happy or quiet.

The Beatitudes do not tell us how to earn God’s blessing. They describe what life looks like when grace has taken hold. They announce good news to people who know their need.  They shape a community that lives differently.

The Beatitudes prepare us for a life shaped by the kingdom, not rewarded by the world. Jesus invites his first hearers and all those who have followed to see God’s kingdom breaking in in suprises ways, people, and places.