Who's really important?

Given that you are going to hear a lot of me during the annual meeting, I hadn’t planned to preach during morning prayer this morning, but as I thought about the readings and looked at my twitter feed, I felt compelled to share a few short words. In fact, just 319 words. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven 

Blessed are those who are persecuted

Blessed are those who mourn.

I can remember way back in seminary studying the beatitudes and saying how in God’s name can you be blessed when sadness over takes you or when you are poor and don’t have two pennies to rub together or when you are persecuted.   

One of the things that I’ve come to realize is that the beatitudes describe the people who are really important to God.

Those who are persecuted-important God.

When we are sad and mourn – we are really important to God

Those poor in spirit –important to God.

The little boy who a few months ago washed up on the shore because he was fleeing persecution–important to God.

The little Syrian boy in the back of ambulance really important to God

Refugees, immigrants-important to God.  

Folks if these people are important to God—they must also be important to us.

In the book of the prophet Micah a question is asked of the prophet -what does the Lord require of us? Essentially what is being asked---“What makes God happy?”     Micah says what makes God happy is when his followers …

do justice,

when they love kindness,

and when they walk humbly with God. 

There is kindness required of us today—and there is justice required of us today and we are being asked to walk humbly with those who are important to God--today. 

How will we respond to the people who are really important to God today?