05-09-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 9, 2025
In Matthew 5:5, we have one of the Beatitudes that Jesus shared during the Sermon on the Mount: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

My friend and colleague, Rev. Bob Hill, reminded me of some words from the great William Sloane Coffin: “...unless we become meek, there will be no one left to inherit the earth…” In Greek, the word for meek is Praus, and it’s fascinating how this Greek word is related to the idea of equilibrium. Though we might think of meekness as weakness, it is in fact someone who is centered, having full mastery of self. The world desperately needs some centered folks who have a true mastery of self, especially as nonsense—even outrageous lies—are shared as fact on social media, often by the people who should be setting an example. Fringe nonsense, even hate, is often described as truth, and the media allows them to go unchecked, even repeating the falsehoods. We need the meek who can bring some equilibrium to our society and world; otherwise, there will be no one left to inherit the earth.

God of grace, continue to call forth more and more of those who have been gifted with meekness. We need them—we desperately need them. Amen.