“Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the land...”

Here we have, at the outset, a singular revelation on the profound nature of God and this breath that we call emphatic and powerful, which we use to represent the wind of Pentecost. You have to understand that it is this power, the strength, of dove’s breath, even when, after having flown for a long time, you’re holding it panting in your hands. This is nothing like a squall that tears up trees and batters’ rooftops.

The parable of Jesus which immediately follows the proclamation of the Beatitudes, enlightens them all: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men!” (Matthew 5:13).

It is the Holy Spirit who makes the salt, salts and re-salts! But this fire, this salt, this power, this breath are all of the same nature as the dove, but they have no venom. It is not fantastical to imagine these items as one. Gliding one image over the other helps us to capture the truth of Jesus’ personality, overflowing with the Holy Spirit. So, we can enter profoundly into the intelligence of this beatitude of meekness, gentleness and docility, from filial and fraternal piety.

Once more, Jesus paints his portrait, his mother’s portrait and that of his best disciples. He celebrates the intimate happiness of the man of the kingdom of heaven who lives in the breath inhaled by the Holy Spirit by making it a permanent experience!

We could also use the word “docile” or even “teachable” to translate this. It is fair to imagine that the kingdom of God only becomes established within a heart when it welcomes the breath of the Spirit. This beatitude belongs to those who have received the breath, prophets who realise that, within them, there is someone breathing, suggesting, making themself known, helping them as they reply with a meek welcome, like a child who allows itself to be led by the hand!

 The biblical image of the reed should be maintained here in both of its senses. God does not simply issue commands. He talks. He does not force. His commandment staff is not studded with spikes to force a command. His sceptre is but a reed, incapable of hurting through violence and blows. But it is unbreakable and it will continue to come back to the charge. God does not break down walls by spinning or smashing, but with love.

The second meaning of the image of the reed applies to its surprising malleability. The wind can ravage forests of oaks or fir trees, it can crush and uproot them. But reeds, they bend, even flatten to the ground. The wind passes and they rise up again, unwittingly. In this act, we see how the weakest is actually the strongest. Or how the person with patience is the truly strong and victorious one. In the end, it is weakness that prevails.

“By your patient endurance,” said Jesus, “You will gain your souls” (Luke 21:19) “Hope does not put us to shame,” adds Paul, “Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us...” (Romans 5:5) Nothing can resist or escape or not cooperate one day nor come to an end finally, in full life... Oh, holy meekness, eternal gentleness of freedom!

If now, we pass over the word “meek” and on to “teachable”, we discover the most important quality celebrated in the gospel, just at it is in the holy kingdom. The word of Jesus returns insistently, in various ways:

“The kingdom of heaven belongs to the children
          and to those who resemble them!”

Because, everything that happened in the chronological plan of history two thousand years ago, continues on the mystical plan within each one of us, where Christ resurrected breathes into us the outpouring of gifts from his Spirit.

The scene of the annunciation reveals to us how this beatitude of those who have received the breath applies to Mary: the meek and holy, those who are teachable by the word of God. Elisabeth did not misunderstand as she came alive with the joy of Mary’s simple greeting: “Blessed are you who believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her” (Luke 1:45)

This beatitude could become ours if we choose it, as there is no person within whom God does not speak. If we have the soul of a small child and a vulnerable heart ready to receive it, the slightest breath from the Spirit is captured as if in a large open sail. So, why aren’t there more prophets within the Church and the world? Why are so many men locked in the terrible solitude of their inner deafness?

One of Mary’s biggest sufferances, as she accompanied Jesus, must have been encountering many who “did not hear” what Jesus was saying. We can be sure that the joy of listening could be seen on Mary’s face, the dilation of her qualities, the development of her body towards the message she heard must have caused many to question.

This beatitude can be read on the face of someone who is really listening, just like the flame burning in the eyes of the person talking, moved by a breath. It is the same heat of conviction that we feel rising from the profound experience of God, that should melt hearts of ice!

We know the address, from the breath of the Spirit, that Elisabeth initiated with Mary: “Where does this all come from that the mother of my Lord should visit me? “Yes, blessed are you who believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!” (Luke 1:43 -45) It is doubtlessly in these last words, that the greatest beauty of Mary’s Holiness shines.

Oh, Mary, malleable like a reed beneath the breath of the Spirit, all the beatitudes of the gospel suit you. They describe you perfectly. We might even say that Jesus draws the lines of your mystical portrait! But the beatitude of meekness is perhaps the most beautiful in you because, “You are the active hand in the hands of your creator and your Emmanuel, and you did and still do incredible things with him!”

Florin Callerand, 17th January 1991
“A poor person calls God responds” © 2006,
Extract p.106-134

French to English translation by Debbie Garrick and Cécile Simon