Scripture Reading
Matthew 5:3, 6, 8
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ... Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
Reflection
The Beatitudes describe the character of kingdom citizens — and the first of them is poverty of spirit: the honest acknowledgment that we have nothing to bring, nothing to leverage, nothing to boast of before God. This is the door into the kingdom, not a barrier. From that poverty comes hunger for righteousness, and from that hunger, the promise that we will be filled. The sequence is grace from beginning to end.
Prayer for Today
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but
first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he
was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way
of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and
peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he
was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way
of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and
peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Amen.