Epiphany
Gospel Reading:
Matthew 5:1-12
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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Reflection:
My Economic Goals
by David Morrison
(Originally posted April 24, 2007)
When you get to my age, they say you need a financial plan. I’ve come to the conclusion that as far as I am concerned, it will never work to make more money so I can afford a certain lifestyle. My goal is not to make enough money to stay afloat with the times, but rather to learn how to live off of an increasingly amount of “less” in contradiction to the times. I hope to slowly be stripped of my load as I grow old and older: until I am nothing, and then perhaps Christ can become everything; and then perhaps Lady Poverty will find me, as it were, and embrace me in her loving arms.
Lord, when you call me at my death
to arrive in the heavenly courts,
please, in your grace,
let me be able to look
my foremothers and fathers
in the eyes,
and let me be counted among your saints.
Amen.
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Francis and the Birds (Giotto)
Prayer:
The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing
-A.W. Tozer
Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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“Words to Build A Life On” by Mike Crawford and his Secret Siblings (click here to listen)
