How long do we have to wait for the blessing?

Among the many questions we bring to the Beatitudes in Matthew's gospel (Matthew5.1-11) there is this perennial one:  how long do we have to wait to experience these blessings?  Is all this good news only for when we have died?  Are these enigmatic statements really just promises for the future.......sort of like a 'money back guarantee'?


If the first 4 beatitudes are describing how the kingdom of Jesus will be a blessing to folks who are suffering today, then what about the last 4 beatitudes?  Are they any different?  I think so.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

God is pure in heart, that is, without evil intent.  Those who are 'pure in heart' (although imperfectly, of course) demonstrate an attribute of God in their day to day life.  To be in the presence of such a one is to have a small taste of the glory of God.  Have coffee with someone who is 'pure in heart' and the kingdom of heaven will break out right at your table.  You will have entered - if only for a moment - God's space where blessing is the rule of the day.

Likewise those who are merciful.  Mercy is an attribute of God, so this verse says, 'blessed are those who are like God' - and you, my friends, will experience a taste of the kingdom of God when you are in the presence of someone with this gift.  Those who make reconciliation with enemies and bring peace to this world are reflecting the deepest desires of God - that all shall be one and the wolf shall lie down with the lamb.

Yes, the kingdom of heaven is not a full reality today.......but we can taste its glory in small spaces where God has broken out.  Furthermore, we can call on the name of God and incarnate just such attributes of God and further yet another glimpse of God's kingdom.  We glimpse the shape of God's kingdom when people of God seek the path of God and do not rest until justice is done.

Just to be sure, let's say it again.  This is the kind of kingdom that Jesus is bringing into reality: a kingdom which honors and blesses the weak and vulnerable and where peace, mercy, and purity of heart are the norm.  That is the kingdom and not some other.

We, who are Salt and Light, are given the task of bringing this kingdom into the reality of this world.  We are called to be workers for this kingdom and no other.

When we pray,  'thy kingdom come' it is good to remember what kind of a kingdom we are praying for.