In Matthew 5:6-12, Jesus continues the Be Happys. It’s curious to me that “be happy” is translated as “blessed are.” “Be happy” originates inside of the person at their own initiative. “Blessed are” attributes the power externally. I find the translation suspect, serving a different agenda than bring the way of the heavens (translated kingdom of heaven). Someone is transferring the power away from the individual and assigning it to the divine, which is not really wrong in fact, but it is not what the Greek says.
These verses urge people to be happy even while they are suffering and yearning for something better. They are the initiators of being happy, not the receivers of it. The good outcomes appear to be the effect of being happy. Being happy is the foundation on which higher qualities are based, and the marvelous result develops from those happy qualities.
With that in mind, now read these joyful attitudes.
Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Happy are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Happy are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Happy are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Happy are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and exult (translated as “be glad”), because great are your wages in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
It’s not just your “reward” in heaven. A reward is given out of generosity or gratitude. But the Greek word is “wages,” which is something you earn for your work. In translation, these verses have been subtly changed to remove power from the individual and to attribute elsewhere the cause of the happiness and the resulting wages of practicing these happy attitudes.
If this type of distortion is repeated, it will become suspect.
In the meantime, be happy, and out of happiness, seek righteousness (alignment with the ways of the heavens), be merciful, clean your heart, make peace, and endure persecution because this is how we bring the ways of the heavens to Earth. You are part of an ancient and honorable tradition, for “they” persecuted the prophets whose words they are using for their own agenda.
And don’t worry: These writings are not solely criticism – obviously – but remember that everything written early is explained later. Everything. And the brief instructions for your personal practice will bloom into full understanding of The Way of the heavens (translated kingdom of heaven).