Episode Transcript  

One

The Startling Pleasure of an Inheritance

Let’s start this meditation by thinking about the concept of inheritance. An inheritance is a gift. And often a surprising gift. Often, people don’t know how a relative is going to distribute their possessions until the actual will is read. So, an inheritance is a gift, not something you earned. It’s what somebody else amassed over the course of their lifetime. And they want you to have it, as a gift. Only two things have to happen: they have to die, and you have to accept the gift.

Well, Jesus tells us who the heirs of God Almighty are. They are the meek. And they shall inherit everything. “Blessed are the Meek. For they shall inherit the earth.”

So for God’s inheritance to be transmitted to us, two things need to take place. First of all, Christ had to die. Check. And secondly, we need to receive our inheritance. And that’s what it means to be meek.

Two

Not about Winning

The meek are those who know how to receive, how to inherit. They know how to receive a gift with gratitude and delight. The opposite of meekness is a competitive mindset, the mindset of those who are constantly trying to win. How many of us think of our lives in terms of competition, trying to get scarce resources before someone else gets them? Competing for money and customers, competing for attention, competing to be more attractive to the opposite sex. Competing for jobs or promotions, or professional awards.

A meek person realizes none of the things we compete for is as interesting or worthwhile or delightful as the things God has given everyone as a pure gift. The love and friendship of those in our lives. The beauty of nature. The delight of exercising our minds to know the truth, and then exploring the truth with others through good conversations. And, of course, the love of God for us, and Heaven, wow, Heaven is the gift par excellence!

The joy of this life isn’t primarily won. It’s inherited. If we’re meek enough to accept it.

Three

The Art of Receiving 

Receiving sounds easy, but it’s actually hard, especially for the proud, the anxious, and the self-reliant. Many of us would rather earn than receive, because earning makes us feel in control. A gift feels humbling. You didn’t deserve it. You didn’t secure it. You can only open your hands and say, “Thank you.”

That’s why meekness is so rare. Meekness requires you to stop grasping and start trusting, trusting that God will give what is good in His time, and that His gifts are better than your plans. Meek people are not passive. They work hard, but without anxiety, without clinging, without scheming. They work with open hands and peaceful hearts.

To receive like this, you need to learn to be still and quiet. Gratitude. Confidence in the Father. That’s what makes space in the soul for inheritance.

Four

Living as an Heir

Jesus doesn’t say the meek will earn the earth. He says they will inherit it. That means the gifts of God are already being given, even in this life. Meek people don’t miss those gifts. Because they’re not consumed by winning that they miss what God is giving. 

To inherit the earth means learning to enjoy what God is already giving: the delight of morning Mass and a quiet walk. The laugh of someone you love. The deep rest that comes when you stop trying to prove yourself. The grace of knowing God is enough and that He is with you. Most people spend their lives chasing what they already have. The meek inherit the earth because they stop running and start receiving.

So, pause. Breathe. Look around. Thank God. Act like someone who’s already been given everything, because you have.

Five

Co-heirs with Christ

No matter how long we live, we’ve got to pursue good things in this life: vocations, families, children, professions, taking care of one another. There are so many good things in this world to delight in. But this life, in comparison to eternity, is so so short. And then it all goes away.

But it’s okay. Because God has your inheritance already taken care of. You’re going to be in Heaven, and everyone there is going to know your identity and worth. Everyone there will appreciate you, they’ll understand you, they’ll love you, and you will do the same for them. And then God will create a New Heavens and a New Earth.

It’s all a gift.

Suggested Resolutions:

Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you. 

• Today, when we start to get anxious, fearful, or angry or defensive, let’s ask ourselves, “Ten thousand years from now, will I be upset about this or worried about this? How do I want to act right now?”

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