MEEKNESS

MEEKNESS

(Sunday, May 27)

“Blessed are the meek (πραεῖς, кротции), for they shall inherit the earth.” (Mt 5:5)

Of all the “blessed-nesses” or ways to happiness promised to us in the Sermon on the Mount, known as the *Beatitudes* (from the initial words in Latin, “beati sunt” or “blessed are”), only the “meek” are promised an earthly reward. What does “meekness” mean, and how or why will the meek “inherit the earth”?

“Meekness” is not the same thing as humility, although the two are related. While meekness is manifested in one’s reactions to adversity, humility is a state of mind, not necessarily manifested in any way. Meekness is the power to remain in God’s peace and humility, when confronted with the not-peaceful and chaotic. It comes not from a weakness of character or mind, but from conscious contact with God and an embrace in any difficult situation of His narrative, and not the narrative(s) that come from self-centeredness and the fears that come with it. The meek tend to be happy, which is why our Lord calls them “blessed.” They do not waste time on pointless battles, because they know when and how to be silent and do nothing, and when and how to speak and act. They tend to stick things out, in any given position, which is why they shall “inherit the earth.” They tend to be the last ones standing, after most others have given up. Bless us today, Lord, with Your meekness, that we may inherit the earth. Blessed are You, O Lord, teach us Your statutes.