Hello Friends,
Welcome back to Prepared Hearts and my apologies for getting
this out so late this week!
This week’s lectionary texts include: Micah 6:1-8, Psalm
15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and Matthew 5:1-12. We will be focusing on the Gospel
lesson, which is below, followed by starter thoughts.
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.
STARTER THOUGHTS
1.
The Gospel lesson this week pairs nicely with
the Hebrew Scripture from Micah. Read the text from Micah 6 (one of my personal
favorites) and then this portion of Matthew again. What similarities do you see
between the teachings of the Prophet Micah and Jesus?
2.
This portion of the Sermon on the Mount is
commonly referred to as “The Beatitudes” (translated: the “blessings”).
Although it is a very familiar text, it contains teachings that counter nearly
every cultural norm of our society. Jesus takes what we would normally consider
the worst of circumstances and declares that blessings belong to those who
encounter them. What do you make of the fact that nearly every blessing he
mentions is bestowed on those who are empty or weak?
3.
Which of these blessings speak to you? Take some
time to reflect on some of the greatest blessings of your life. In what ways
have you experienced the blessings Jesus speaks of?
4.
What does this text say to you about a state of
being blessed, as opposed to a state of feeling good or happy in the moment? What
does it mean to you to be “blessed?”
5.
Which of Christ’ statements do you think require
deeper reflection? For example, what do you think is meant by being “poor in
spirit”? Who are the meek?
6.
As you read through the list, recall saints of
your own life who reflected these blessed traits. What did their peacemaking
look like? How were they merciful? Does the church allow for much diversity of
experience or do we make assumptions about what someone “pure in heart” must be
like?
7.
Finally, what portions of The Beatitudes do you
find hard to swallow? Does any portion of this text rub you the wrong way? Why
or why not?
As always, I look forward to your thoughts and reflections.
Please feel free to email me or post a comment here.
Peace,
Pastor Amee
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