You Are Blessed, Even in the Rain! — Issue 21

This week in Chapel, we explored the Beatitudes by contrasting two versions of the scripture: the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and The Message (MSG).

 

While the NRSV is poetic and theologically rich, The Message presents scripture in a living, contemporary context. Scripture is not always easily understood, and even as a theologian, I often rely on concordances, dictionaries, commentaries, and Greek translations to fully grasp its meaning. The Message removes much of the academic complexity and invites readers to engage with the text as it speaks plainly to where they are. While there is value in wrestling with scripture, there is also beauty in hearing it clearly and directly.

 

Matthew 5:3–5 (The Message) reads:

 

“You are blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You are blessed when you feel you have lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You are blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that cannot be bought.”

 

Learning to love oneself and finding peace and contentment are essential to building loving, nurturing relationships with others. We cannot extend love and charity if we are unable to offer them to ourselves first. Loving oneself truly is, as the song says, The Greatest Gift of All.

 

The Message reminds us that being “at the end of your rope” can still be a place of blessing. Winnie-the-Pooh expressed a similar truth when he said to Piglet, “Sometimes it does not take very much to make the world feel brighter… We cannot always stop the rain, but we can always share our umbrella.” God is present in the rain, at the end of our rope, and in the moments when we walk together through difficult days. Rejoice in knowing that you are blessed.

 

With every blessing,