Monday 12 June 2023

Today is Monday the 12th of June, in the 10th week of Ordinary time.


Jon Guerra sings, ‘Kingdom of God’. As we begin this time of prayer, become aware of God’s gaze of love on you today…

Oh that I could see your face
How I’m longing for that day
Brighter sun of holy grace
Make my heart a holy place
Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own
Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone
Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go
For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God
And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God
And they will find a refuge for theirs is the kingdom of God
Beauty shining from your face
Always longed to see this place
Is there somewhere I can stay?
Even just a couple days?
Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own
Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone
Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go
For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God
And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God
And they will find a refuge for theirs is the kingdom of God
The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want
In valley or pasture, we shall not want
Our cup runneth over and over
For now and forever
For now and forever
The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want
In valley or pasture, we shall not want
Our cup runneth over and over
For now and forever
For now and forever
For now and forever
For now and forever
Blessed are the poor who have nothing to own
Blessed are the mourners who are crying alone
Blessed are the guilty who have nowhere to go
For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God
And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God
And they will find a refuge for theirs is the kingdom of God
Oh that I could see your face
How I’m longing for that day




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.


Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The words of the Beatitudes are so familiar to us, but what must they have sounded like to those who heard them for the first time? Can you imagine the scene? Jesus speaks of blessings, but they are not the usual blessings of prosperity and power that were expected. How do these blessings strike you?

The blessings of Jesus include things that most people might shy away from: mourning, being persecuted, hunger, thirst and meekness. Is there anything in these blessings that attracts or repels you? Why is that? Do you have a sense of having lived or witnessed any of these beatitudes?

As you hear the reading repeated, allow any words or phrases that catch your attention to stay in your heart, allowing the words to resonate. Why do those words draw you specially?

Jesus is pronouncing these blessings for you, here and now. Is there anything you want to say to him about them, or perhaps another, different blessing of which you feel you stand in need? Allow yourself to speak to him from your heart.

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.