Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 1, 2023

Date in the Ordine: All Saints’ Day

Scripture Text: Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today presents Jesus’ teaching of the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew. The blessings Jesus lists in his sermon point to essential traits for those seeking eternal life with the LORD. Note that it begins with "poor in spirit," with the individual recognition for one's need for the LORD. And next is the necessity of love in our lives for one another, the type of love that causes us to grieve when we lose a loved one. Clearly, love is essential to our journey. Jesus tells us also that we are to be meek or gentle and to be merciful. Jesus' beatitudes open up our minds and hearts to the reality that what we seek in others is to be our own character. The pure of heart are those without guile, what we present is who we really are, we are called to be genuine. And we are called to be people of peace, who seek wholeness in our lives and the lives of those around us. Lastly, we are called to be people who are willing to do all this, live all this, live Christ openly without regard to how others accept us.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I daily seeking to live as Christ calls me to live in the Beatitudes? Am I willing to set down my pride, my earthly desires for righteousness, for growing my relationship with the LORD and with others? Am I willing to stand for my faith in the LORD even when those around me are opposed to faith lived?

Praying:

LORD, You created us, You redeemed us, and You call us to become the ones You created us to be, the ones You selflessly gave your life to redeem, your disciples, your temples on earth. You promise that if we remain with You, You will remain with us, dwell within us. Send your Spirit to kindle within us the fire of your love, to purify our desires, to strengthen our resolve to live as daughters and sons of the living LORD. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.