God of grace, fill the cup of need in this dear reader with Your grace today and all days; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Matthew 5: 1 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2 and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: 3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. 6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. 7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. 8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. 10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens - give a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. (The Message)
Good morning saints! Good morning sinners! Every time I have tried that on a Sunday morning I don't know why I get a louder "Good Morning!" from the sinners than the saints. Everyone who is baptized and believes in the promises of Jesus is a saint. That many times is more a liberal and generous labeling than is necessary in some folks. And I'm basing it on external expressions of faith or the lack thereof. Yet, who am I to judge? But it is up to me to encourage all to live as saints, worthy of the calling and the name. Today's passage is such a passage of example and encouragement. It is from Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount and this morning it comes from the Message version of the Bible. As we read it we can feel the patient love of Jesus who seeks to embrace all who would listen and receive. Jesus begins by addressing those "at the end of their rope." And who hasn't or isn't there at times? Life doesn't always go our way; sometimes it seems life takes a different street and we're on the wrong street corner or midblock and life is at the stop and pulls away just as we hurriedly run to catch it. Yet, we're "blessed." Jesus then says that when there is less of us, there is more of God. Have you ever thought about that? When we feel weakest is when God can be strongest in our lives. That's a blessing is it not? Jesus also says we're blessed when we have lost "what is most dear to us," for it is then that God can embrace us. And who can't use a good embrace every day? We're also blessed when we're content with who we are; when we realize that God has made us just the way we are and we have something to offer to the world. Everything that matters was not bought but given to us by God's amazing love. That's an awesome blessing when we realize it.
We're blessed when we have worked up a great appetite for God, for God is the best food and drink that there is. Nothing the world offers comes close to that satisfaction. We're also blessed when we care for others, for it is in caring that we are cared for as well. Ours is a blessing when our "inside world," our spirit and our thoughts are put right in God. For when God is "inside" we can see the "outside" in a better light. We're blessed when we show people how to get along rather than to compete and disagree; for it is in doing so that we discover our place in God's great family. Our blessing also comes with our being persecuted; those are times when we can get even deeper into God and God's family. And we should be happy when we are found to be worthy to be put down or lied about. The saying is that we must be doing something right when we suffer insults and put-downs for God's sake. And never forget the company we're in when we're suffering in that way, for God's chosen prophets and messengers suffered in the same way. The applause that we get is the applause that matters, those done in Heaven.
So, Happy Saints Day to you! Live a life like the one Jesus mentioned above and you'll truly be a saint, not for the label but for the blessings.
PRAYER: Loving God, for many today is a day of remembering those who have died in the faith. We thank you for their lives, memories, and examples. May they seek to inspire and encourage us each day. But I thank you for the blessings that can be mine when I strive to live as one set apart by You and Your love to encourage and bless others. May it be so, for I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
