Matthew 5:6

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6 RSV).

Comment:

The Beatitudes that begin the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew are a series of very clear promises. They have become so familiar that I'm afraid they've lost much of their revolutionary power throughout the years. They completely upend established religious tradition by affirming that many of those judged as unacceptable by that tradition may, in fact, be the creators of the new consciousness that is the kingdom of heaven. That kingdom is promised—not after death—but here and now. "The kingdom of God is within you," Jesus insists. So no, I don't read this promise as a description of a post-death state called purgatory. If we hunger and thirst for righteousness in this life experience, we will draw righteousness to us—also in this life experience—according to the Law of Creation that is the expression of God.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed