Monday, June 10, 2024

Blessed Are You

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 5:3)


Blessings are a gift of grace. A profound relationship with God turns affliction into a blessing. The Beatitudes affirm that blessings already exist for those who are poor in spirit, mourn, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted. We are to be compassionate and forgiving, and to show mercy to others. We are also to be honest and truthful, and to do what is right even when it is difficult. Let us choose love, even in the face of suffering, and to look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises.

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12)

In the realm where grace is the currency, blessings flow like a river, a gift of mercy. A profound bond with the Divine, a mystery, turns affliction into blessings, a sacred journey. The Beatitudes, a heavenly decree, affirm blessings for the humble and the free. For those poor in spirit, for those who see, for the meek, the righteous, the merciful, the glee. Blessed are the pure, the peacemakers, the persecuted, in God's kingdom, their worth is undisputed. Compassion and forgiveness, virtues recruited, mercy shown to others, love undisputed. Honesty and truth, the right path illuminated, even when it's difficult, even when it's complicated. Choosing love, a choice consecrated, even in suffering, our hearts dedicated. Looking forward to the fulfillment of His promises, in the face of trials, in the face of abyss. God's kingdom within us, a bliss, blessings are a gift of grace, a heavenly kiss.

Dear Lord Jesus, we come before You, acknowledging that blessings are a gift of Your grace. We recognize that a profound relationship with You can turn our afflictions into blessings. We are humbled by the Beatitudes, which affirm that blessings already exist for those who are poor in spirit, mourn, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted. Lord, guide us to be compassionate and forgiving, showing mercy to others as You have shown mercy to us. Help us to be honest and truthful, doing what is right even when it is difficult. In the face of suffering, let us choose love, reflecting Your love for us. We look forward to the fulfillment of Your promises, knowing that Your word is true and Your love is unending. May we live each day in the light of Your grace, striving to embody the teachings of the Beatitudes in our thoughts, words, and actions. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.


God is in control. He is always with us, caring for us and providing for our needs in ways we may not expect. If not by the ordinary, He will provide in a miraculous way. Even in times of hardship and adversity, we should always trust in God’s provision. It is important to listen to God’s voice, follow His guidance, and have faith in His promises even when it doesn’t make sense to us or we can’t see the outcome. Let us trust in God’s provision, obey His commands, have faith in His promises, and acknowledge His sovereignty, even in the most challenging circumstances. 

1 Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab: “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, during these years there shall be no dew or rain except at my word.” 2 The Lord then said to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, go east and hide in the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink of the stream, and I have commanded ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he left and did as the Lord had commanded. He went and remained by the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan. 6 Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the stream. (1 Kings 17:1-6)

In the realm where divine control resides, where His love, in every moment, abides. He's with us always, in every stride, caring, providing, being our guide. In ways unseen, in ways so broad, not just the ordinary, but by the nod of the miraculous, His blessings flow, in His provision, we grow. Through hardship's grip, through adversity's tide, in God's provision, we confide. Even when sense to us, it doesn't make, we trust in Him, for His name's sake. His voice we heed, His guidance, our light, in faith, we walk, be it day or night. His promises, a beacon so bright, even when the outcome is out of sight. In His provision, we place our trust, obey His commands, as we must. In His promises, we find our thrust, acknowledging His sovereignty, in Him we adjust. Even in circumstances, challenging and vast, with faith in God, we hold steadfast. For He is in control, His love so vast, in His divine plan, we are cast.

Dear Heavenly Father, We acknowledge that You are in control, Your love and care are constant, never taking a toll. You are always with us, in every fold, providing for our needs, both new and old. In ways we may not expect, You make a way, if not by the ordinary, then in a display of Your miraculous power, come what may, even in times of hardship, Your provision holds sway. Help us to listen to Your voice, to heed Your call, to follow Your guidance, in matters big and small. Even when it doesn't make sense, when we can't see it all, help us to have faith in Your promises, to stand tall. In the most challenging circumstances, in every situation, let us trust in Your provision, without hesitation. Help us to obey Your commands, with dedication, and acknowledge Your sovereignty, with adoration. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.


God hears our cries and is attentive to our prayers. It is okay to express our distress and desperation to God. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. He invites us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. If God kept a record of our sins, no one could stand. We are completely dependent upon God’s abundant mercy and forgiveness. Let us acknowledge our sins, wait patiently and hope in God’s promises, and trust in His unfailing love and redemption. God is always ready to listen and provide comfort. It is through our weaknesses and trials that His strength is made perfect.

1I lift up my eyes toward the mountains; whence shall help come to me? 2 My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 May he not suffer your foot to slip; may he slumber not who guards you: 4 Indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps, the guardian of Israel. 5 The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade; he is beside you at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will guard you from all evil; he will guard your life. 8 The Lord will guard your coming and your going, both now and forever. (Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8)

In the quiet of our hearts, in the depth of our prayers, God hears our cries, His attention never strays. In distress and desperation, it's okay to express, for God is our refuge, our strength, and nothing less. An ever-present help in times of trouble and fear, inviting us to cast on Him every anxiety we bear. Because He cares for us, with a love so profound, in the vast ocean of His grace, we are safe and sound. If God kept a record of sins, who could stand tall? Yet, we're bathed in mercy, His forgiveness covers all. Acknowledging our sins, in humility we bow, waiting patiently, in His promises we plow. Hope in God's promises, trust in His unfailing love, redemption is His gift, sent from the heavens above. God is always ready, His ears attuned to our plea, providing comfort and solace, setting our hearts free. In our weaknesses and trials, His strength shines bright, perfect in our imperfections, guiding us through the night. So let us remember, in every trying phase, God's strength is made perfect, worthy of all praise.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging that You hear our cries and are attentive to our prayers. In times of distress and desperation, we know it is okay to express our feelings to You. You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We cast all our anxieties on You, for we know You care for us. If You kept a record of our sins, no one could stand. But we are grateful that we are completely dependent upon Your abundant mercy and forgiveness. We acknowledge our sins before You, and with patience, we wait for Your divine intervention. We place our hope in Your promises, trusting in Your unfailing love and redemption. We thank You for always being ready to listen and provide comfort. We acknowledge that it is through our weaknesses and trials that Your strength is made perfect. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.


Pericope:

Gospel
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Matthew 5:1-12

First Reading
III: Stories of the Prophets
DROUGHT PREDICTED BY ELIJAH
1 Kings 17:1-6

Psalm
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
PRAYER FOR PARDON AND MERCY
Psalm 130:1-8


Related Blogs:

https://doyoulovememorethanthis.blogspot.com/2024/06/blessed-are-you.html
https://youhaveturn.blogspot.com/2024/06/go-god-will-provide.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/06/voice-in-supplication.html

Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot

Be Made Clean

“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”  He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,  “I will do it. Be made clean.” (Matthew 8:2-...