Faith Daily | 7 June 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p550

O Lord, from whom alone all good things come:

grant that by your holy inspiration

we may think those things that are good,

and by your merciful guiding

may perform them;

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 5: 1 - 12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Mary Rose

When I saw the Beatitudes I probably thought, of course, I know this. I learnt to recite them in Sunday School like I learnt the ten commandments and other important things. Learning by rote was all the thing when I was young! But now I come to them anew many years later I can see how very important they are. As one commentator put it – “the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount indicate that this message deals with the inner state of mind and heart that is an indispensable absolute of true Christian discipleship. It delineates the outward manifestations of character and conduct of true believers and genuine disciples.”

Jesus sits down as a rabbi or teacher would and his disciples gather around him . We don’t know if just the twelve or other disciples; he did not exclude the crowd but just allowed the disciples to be close to him. This was a deliberate teaching time by Jesus. From verse three we have the spoken word from Jesus himself, the greatest teaching of all!

I realise when I read each of the verses how important each word is. As one commentator writes “The Beatitudes, like Psalm 1, do not show us how to be saved, but rather describe the characteristics of one who has been saved.”

Unpacking each verse could take pages but it is important to consider each word and even compare each translation because a superficial understanding is not enough to take to heart each teaching. Eg meek does not imply weakness but supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit. This is having a humble heart, eager to understand, to forgive and obey God.

Truly our understanding tells us how important it is to continually seek a deeper understanding of all Jesus’ teachings

FINAL PRAYER: APBA p533

O Lord,

you have taught us

that all our doings without love are worth nothing:

send your Holy Spirit,

and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,

the true bond of peace and of all virtues,

without which whoever lives is counted dead before you;

grant this for your Son Jesus Christ’s sake.

Amen