The Gospel of Matthew 5: 1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Let us Pray: God of the mountains and the ages, teach us to listen when You call. Let the weight of Your faithfulness steady our hearts, and let the witness of creation remind us that our lives are part of Your great story. Where we have strayed, draw us back. Where we have grown indifferent, awaken us. Lead us again into the covenant path of justice, mercy, and humble walking with You. Amen.
From The Old Testament Lesson for This Sunday
Micah 6:1-2, 8 Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you, mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah provides a good opening for the beatitudes. These opening verses challenge us to listen, truly listen, to God’s voice. They invite us to examine our lives not in isolation but in the presence of the One who formed the world and has been faithful across generations. They also remind us that faithfulness is not merely personal. Our choices ripple outward. The mountains still “witness” how God’s people embody justice, mercy, and humility in the world. Matthew places Jesus on a mountain, rise, plead your case before the mountains, echoing Moses but surpassing him. Instead of delivering commandments carved in stone, Jesus speaks blessings that carve a new way of being human. These opening words of the Sermon on the Mount are not moral achievements but gifts, an invitation into the life of the Kingdom. The Beatitudes describe the kind of community Jesus is forming. They are not a checklist but a character sketch. Each blessing reveals a surprising truth: God’s favor rests not on the powerful, the successful, or the self‑sufficient, but on those who know their need and open themselves to God’s transforming grace and truly listen. The beatitudes are declarations of God’s grace. They are not conditions of salvation or roadmaps to earn entry to God’s kingdom. Although the primary purpose of the beatitudes is to declare the blessings given by God’s kingdom, they are like a painting of the character of that kingdom. As we step into God’s kingdom, we hope to become more like those named as blessed, more meek, more merciful, more hungry, for righteousness, more apt to make peace. The Beatitudes overturn our assumptions about success, strength, and blessing. They invite us to inhabit a different world, a world where humility is honored, mercy is strength, and peace is the mark of God’s children. Today these are two beatitudes I feel we should be emphasizing in today’s turmoil and chaos: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Peacemaking is active, courageous work. It means stepping into conflict with humility and truth, refusing both violence and avoidance. Peacemakers resemble their Father because God is always reconciling, always healing what is fractured.
Blessed Are the Merciful for they will receive mercy. Mercy is the heartbeat of God. To be merciful is to allow compassion to interrupt our routines, to forgive when it costs us, to see others through God’s eyes. Those who give mercy discover that God’s mercy flows back to them.
I am not saying the others are not important but if we try to work all together on these two the world could become a much better place. How do we truly listen to God’s voice and not voices of sirens who preach words about how they are the true voices. Members of right Christian group that follows the false words of a cult that worships a self-appointed Idol who is worshipping riches and his own self-worth.
Are we hungry for righteousness or for comfort? Do we seek purity of heart or approval? Do we make peace or merely keep the peace? Jesus begins his greatest sermon not with demands but with blessings. He starts by naming who we are becoming in him.
Let us Pray: God of blessing and transformation, shape our hearts according to the way of Your Kingdom. Teach us to hunger for righteousness, to practice mercy, to walk gently and courageously in a wounded world. Make us peacemakers, pure in heart, and steadfast in hope. Let the joy of Your Kingdom take root in us so that our lives reflect the light of Christ. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 