Sorry – can never hear the “peacemakers” beatitude quite the same again after Monty Python. Unless I hear it in a translation from the Aramaic text. Here it is: Healed are those who bear the fruit of sympathy and safety for all, they shall hasten the coming of God’s new creation. (Blessed are the peacemakersContinue reading “Blessed are the cheesemakers…”
Tag Archives: aramaic
In praise of purposeful passion
Time to consider another Beatitude from the syntax of Jesus’own native language: Happy are they whose passion radiates with deep abiding purpose, they shall envision the furthest extent of life’s wealth. (Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God) Again, a translation of this Beatitude from the Aramaic text calls forth freshContinue reading “In praise of purposeful passion”
Mercy from the inner womb
Healthy are they who from the inner womb birth forth compassion, they shall feel its warm arms embracing them. (Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy) Mercy is often depicted as the grudging letting go of rightful retribution or discipline for a wrong, along the lines of “OK, I’ll let you off thisContinue reading “Mercy from the inner womb”
Where justice begins…
Wake up, you who long deeply for a world of right relationships, you shall be encircled by the birth of a new society. (Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied) “Righteousness” is a loaded word. I look back to the evangelical influences of my youth and remember theContinue reading “Where justice begins…”
The might of the meek…
Jesus said: Tubwayhun l’mskikhr d’hinnon nertun arha. Wake up, you who have softened what is rigid within; you shall be open to receive the splendor of the earth’s fruits. (KJV version: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.) This one, in traditional expression, has been one of the most misunderstood of the Beatitudes.Continue reading “The might of the meek…”
There’s muscle in what we yearn for…
Jesus said: Tubwayhun lawile d’hinnon netbayun. Wake up you who weep for your frustrated desire; you shall see the face of fulfillment in a new form. (KJV version: Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted..) Again, it is plain to see how a translation from Aramaic (through the Syrian tradition) favours aContinue reading “There’s muscle in what we yearn for…”
Wake up to spirit and cosmos!
Jesus said: Tubwayhun l’meskenaee b’rukh d’dilhounhie malkutha d’ashmaya. “Wake up, you who devote yourselves to the link of Spirit; the design of the universe is rendered through you.” Let it be said from the outset that I am no Aramaic scholar. I’ve dabbled in Hebrew and have a passing working knowledge (with aid of lexiconContinue reading “Wake up to spirit and cosmos!”
Wakeup calls in an ancient tongue
“Makarios” is the koine Greek word often translated as “blessed” in the famous Beatitudes from the Sermon of the Mount, a collection of the core message of Jesus. It is unfortunate that a passive, almost listless unpacking of the mysterious word “blessed” renders the equally inactive meanings of “happy” or “fortunate” – hence “happy areContinue reading “Wakeup calls in an ancient tongue”
Wondering Pilgrim 