January 2023

I love the Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount! It brings me peace because after all the beatitudes are really just declarations of God’s grace, and that brings me hope.  In reading today’s gospel I was struck by three beatitudes. Blessed are the meek, blessed are the merciful and blessed are the peacemakers. 

Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land.
If someone referred to you as meek would you be offended or would you be encouraged?  This is a hard one because most of our world sees someone who is meek as weak, submissive or deficient in courage.  Jesus Himself was meek and humble of heart and I certainly do not consider Jesus to be a coward.  To be meek is to accept our strengths and weaknesses and use our gifts to serve others; to have a servant’s heart. Jesus was submissive, but not to others, only to the will of His Father.  Now that is a good role model.

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown.
Mercy is simply treating people better than they deserve and offering forgiveness even if they don’t ask. Mercy is about offering love, not blame or judgment.  Jesus loves and forgives all of us, more than we deserve, that is mercy. When we put others first, especially those who rub us the wrong way, we are showing God’s mercy and the world, at least our world, becomes a happier more peaceful place.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.
This beatitude is so closely related to showing mercy because peacemakers work to reduce conflicts, often by offering forgiveness and not blame. Our world is filled with division, division in our politics, our religions and in our own families.  In God’s kingdom, there is no conflict, only love and unity of heart reigns. Now that sounds peaceful. 

So today, seek the Lord’s will in your own life. Ask Him to guide you to use your gifts to build up the kingdom of heaven. And even if you don’t see His blessings right away, believe they are just around the bend and trust in Jesus’ promise to be with you always.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae

Come Follow Me!  Three small words, but what an impact they can have when we put them in action.  This gospel is so full of inspiration; The Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry, The Fulfilling of Prophecy, The Call to Peter, Andrew, John and James, The Opportunity to Forgive and Be Forgiven and Jesus’ Healing Ministry.

Wow! Can you imagine dropping everything you are familiar with, leaving your family, your home and your possessions, just to follow a stranger? Now that is bold; that is radical!  As hard as that must have been for the Apostles, I can only imagine who incredibly blessed they became on their journey. Traveling each day in the Presence of Our Lord, that has to be life changing.  Oh, I am sure it was hard, and some days they must have felt like giving up, but they didn’t. They continued their journey with hope and trust in Jesus. 

Following Jesus is radical and we too are being called to travel in His Presence.  No doubt, some days will be easy and some difficult. And while we may not have to leave our home or our families, we are being called to spend more quiet time in prayer with our Lord. Trust me, it will be life changing. 

What are you being called to do for our Lord?  Perhaps you are called to start a prayer group in your community, send a hand-made card to someone in need, organize a clothing drive for the homeless, share some kindness with a stranger or befriend a co-worker.  Whatever you feel called to do, take it to prayer.  Ask the Lord what He needs you to do and then listen to where He is calling you.  Be patient, hopeful, and trusting, after all the Lord’s mercy is never ending.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time, be blessed, Renae