Jesus Began to Speak and Taught, “Blessed Are. . . .”

This meditation is based on a passage for February 21, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Matthew 5:1-12

Reflection and Question: This opening section of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew is called The Beatitudes because of this list of those who are blessed by God. The notes for the Oxford Annotated New Revised Standard Version suggest that Jesus is describing, through these blessings, the special qualities of the people in God’s kingdom. This different angle shifts my focus away from who will be blessed to how I can be a merciful, meek peacemaker who is pure in heart, poor in spirit, and hungering for righteousness. Maybe then I may be in God’s kingdom. For what will you be blessed?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, our Teacher, we confess we fear being reviled, persecuted and accused falsely when we speak up for Your love. Calm our fears. Help us to rejoice and be glad by remembering that, in so doing, we stand with the prophets of old. Amen.