Scripture:Jesus said:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:1-12)Reflection:These statements, known as the Beatitudes, offered comfort, and still offer comfort, to people in difficulty, grief and distress, the promise of a future end to their suffering.They offered encouragement and still offer encouragement to those who are living out the values of mercy, peace-making, right living, who through their actions bring about the relief of others’ suffering.The Beatitudes describe the values of the kingdom of God, past, present and hoped for, a glimpse of the kingdom to come.We are approaching All Saints Day, All Souls Day and Remembrance Sunday; November is a time of remembering and thanksgiving. We are reminded of the saints and martyrs of the past and present; of the people we have known, loved and see no more; and of those who have lost their lives in war; people whose earthly lives had hallmarks of blessing. Blessed are we too, when our lives reflect God’s kingdom.Sarah Emanuel
Scripture:As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:12-14 & 16a)Reflection:This Sunday is “Bible Sunday”; the Church focuses and gives thanks for the word of God in the Bible. But with so many translations and transliterations, it is often said, “How can I know this is the true word?” There are many, many beautiful pieces of scripture in the Bible; this piece from Paul’s letter to the Colossians being a good example. But there are also many parts of the scripture where it can be difficult to respond, “Thanks be to God.” Think of some parts of the Old Testament where there seem to be distinctly un-Christian sentiments, and some large parts dealing with Temple practices that seem irrelevant now.Two things to hold onto. Firstly, I believe the Word of God is living and dynamic; written for a purpose; it needs to be read, interpreted, and applied in our time, rather than being taken as absolute. Secondly, hear v16 again: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Let Christ be your reference for a better understanding of God rather than getting lost in bewildering accounts of battles, bloodshed, sacrifices, and liturgical practices.The important thing is to pick up your Bible, read it, and let the word of Christ make its home in your heart.Revd David
