The Feast of St Edward the Confessor | Friday 13 October 2023

Today is Friday 13 October, the feast of St Edward the Confessor, in the 27th week of Ordinary time.

The Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Blessed Are The Merciful’.


Blessed are the merciful
Blessed are the merciful
Blessed are the merciful
For they shall receive mercy, mercy
Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us
Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us
Lord have mercy on us
Show Your mercy through us
Lord have mercy on us
Show Your mercy through us
Lord have mercy on us
Show Your mercy through us
Mercy

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.

Jesus is speaking wonderful news to the crowds and to you. God is working his purposes out through Jesus, turning the world upside down, pouring blessings on all who turn to him and see these new things.

Are you aware in your own life of God doing wonderful things? These may even be found in the difficult places you have been in or are in at the moment. You might like to write these down.


You can write the beatitudes in this way.
‘You are in the place of blessing, when …
Poor in Spirit.
Mourning
Meek
Hungry for righteous living
Merciful
Pure in heart
Making peace
Persecuted

Which place of blessing draws you the most? Stay with one, reflect. Why has this drawn you?


As you listen to the reading again, imagine the crowd Jesus is teaching. Among them some mourn, some need mercy, some are meek and so on. What effect do His words have on you?


You may like to take a moment praying for those…
Who grieve this day,
Those who are meek, whose cry is not heard,
Those longing for justice, waiting, hoping for change.
Those suffering persecution for their belief in Jesus.
Imagine that you bring them to the place of blessing and sit with them in prayer for the world.


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.