Epiphany
February 1, 2020
Scripture Reading: 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.
The blessing comes from having an intimate and meaningful relationship with God. In what has come to be known as the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew shares with us the difference between knowing and trusting in God or not. Today I invite all to read and mentally savor what each of these sentences are saying to you. Take them into your beings as if they were the finest of foods. Taste and know that they are good*. If one or more of them strike a particular chord with you rest with it for a while. Repeat it in your mind. Search for the reason for its special place in your life right now. Take God’s comfort, if that is what you need. Experience joy with God when it manifests itself.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for all your blessings. Help us be blessings in your name to each other. Amen.
*Derived from Psalm 34:8
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.