We have the largest rain event of the year following a period of record dryness that set the stage for the raging fires at the start of the year. We continue to hold in prayer all the people who have been displaced and lost their homes, schools, and places of worship. Our scripture readings today bring out a deep spiritual paradox where the rewards of this world are often at odds with what it means to live a deep and meaningful spiritual life. There is never just one level to the teachings of Jesus. The deeper spiritual lessons can be found when we search for them and this is especially true of when Jesus tells his disciples all the ways that they are blessed. Come and join us as we as we explore together the deeper meaning of being blessed.
Luke 6:17-26 Blessings on the poor, woes on the rich
He came down with them and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.
And everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”
コメント