An ancient expression pulled from Greek, “Kyrie Eleison” means “Lord, have mercy.” It is the essence of the prayer of the tax collector Jesus describes in Luke chapter 18:13–“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” Jesus contrasts this man’s prayer with the self-righteous prayer of the Pharisee who prayed, “Thank you God that I am not like these other sinners.”
This is the unexpected beginning of Transformation: acknowledging my need to be transformed, and my inability to do it on my own. Thus, Jesus begins the Beatitudes with the lesson, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The poor–the spiritually bankrupt–those who know they need help and can’t make it on their own–they alone can start the journey of the kingdom, the journey of God’s transforming presence.
This is the unexpected beginning of Transformation: acknowledging my need to be transformed, and my inability to do it on my own. Thus, Jesus begins the Beatitudes with the lesson, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The poor–the spiritually bankrupt–those who know they need help and can’t make it on their own–they alone can start the journey of the kingdom, the journey of God’s transforming presence.