Dear Spiritual Family,
Perhaps one of the most misunderstood teachings of Jesus is the beatitude, found in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Oftentimes, the word “meek” is defined as “weak.” In the Oxford American Dictionary, we read, “quiet and obedient, making no protest.”
Unity Co-Founder Charles Fillmore, in the Revealing Word, defines “the meek” in the context of Jesus’ sermon, “Anyone highly trained to react to all negative stimuli with love instead of with ‘an eye for an eye.’” His understanding of this context implies strength, not weakness.
Emmet Fox in his classic work, The Sermon on the Mount, offers clarification in this vital and central lesson from our Wayshower. He instructs the reader that the meek that Jesus refers to is “a combination of open-mindedness, faith in God, and the realization that the will of God for us is always something joyous and interesting and vital. This state of mind also includes a perfect willingness to allow the will of God to come about in whatever way divine Wisdom considers to be best, rather than in some particular way we have chosen for ourselves.”
“The earth as it is used in the Bible really means the whole of your outer experience, and to inherit the earth means to have dominion over that outer experience.”
Emmet Fox then offers the example of Moses and how he embraced the quality of meekness to transform his body, his mind, and his spiritual nature that he might be equipped to do God’s will which included the great task of leading the Israelites out of Egypt. The term, “as meek as Moses” conveys that he was known for richly demonstrating this quality.
Personally, in many of our experiences in ministry, in our various roles as parents and grandparents, siblings, friends and co-workers, and as a couple, we have witnessed the efficacy and power of meekness as defined by Fox and Fillmore and Jesus. And we, as well, have been humbled when we exhibited a “weaker” version or even forgot the mindset completely. 😊😊
So we might ask ourselves, “are there situations in my life where and when I might employ this divine Wisdom to bring greater harmony to my little corner of the “earth?” Jesus once again provides us with a great gift. Shall we be open to receive it?
We Love You,
Rev. Steve and Mary
I am so glad I found this website! I miss you guys so much, especially Rev. Steve’s inspiring, uplifting & loving sermons. I stopped going to UCOH once you guys left.
My life is in a bit of an anxious turmoil, & now that I’ve found your website I will be reading your messages often. Needing to strengthen my faith in Christ & calm my anxiety which sometimes over takes my life. Thank God for warm, loving Spirits such as yourselves. Please pray for me & my family. We’ve had 12 years of turmoil & broken hearts over separation from our daughter. Sometimes I’ve felt hopeless, but I do have faith that it could get better. Thank you again Rev. Steve & Mary.