Recognizing Blessings

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8  • Psalm 15  • 1 Corinthians 1:18-31  • Matthew 5:1-12

This week we have Matthew's account of the the Beatitudes. Matthew's account has Jesus teaching from the mountain side, primarily to his disciples. Although the crowds are present, they are in the background for the Sermon on the Mount. 

The Rev. Davis Lose focuses on recognizing blessing, in Recognizing Blessing, not being  blessed, or blessing others, which are important, but the focus in his lesson is to recognize blessing. Why is it important to recognize blessing? What do you look for when you think of blessing? Compare that with the beatitudes. What can we take from the Beatitudes and apply to our lives today?

Michael Simone, in his article, asks "What beatitudes does our world need to hear today?"

What  do you think? 

Heeding the Call to Discipleship

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-4  • Psalm 27:1, 4-9  • 1 Corinthians 1:10-18  • Matthew 4:12-23

The  gospel this week is Matthew's account of Jesus calling disciples to be fishers of men. What is involved in answering the call? Why did the disciples leave their net immediately and follow Jesus?  How do we "fish" for people? What is involved? Read Debie Thomas' "I Will Make You..."

First, you have to be open to hear the call. The farmer in Barrington  Bates' story, hearing a cricket chirp on his visit to the City in the midst of sirens blaring, said "I figure you hear what you're listening for." Are we listening for the call? What are we listening, or looking for? Bates says Jesus gives us clear directives on what we need to do. Read his "Repent, Look for Signs of the Kingdom, and Follow Jesus."

Do people see Jesus in us?

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7  •  Psalm 40:1-11  •  1 Corinthians 1:1-9  •  John 1:29-42

Jesus told Andrew and "Come and see," when Andrew inquired about him. John the Baptist said "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," when he sees Jesus. Andrew told his brother Simon, whom Jesus called Cephas - Peter, "We have found the Messiah."

Will we recognize Jesus as we come across him on our journey? What will we find? See Sister Kym Harris' "This Sunday's Reflection." The Rev. Mark Ralls says that the way to truth, the truth about Jesus, and ourselves, is through personal encounters in "The other 'H" Word."

Finally, considering the difficulties Paul encountered with the church in Corinth, Daniel Clendenin discusses some of the faults and failures of the church in "A Loyal Member of a Dysfunctional Family - Why I Go to Church." Why do you go to church? Why do some quit going to church? How should we deal with the church's failures and faults?

Do people see Jesus in us - in our church?

Why was Jesus baptized?

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9  •  Psalm 29  •  Acts 10:34-43  •  Matthew 3:13-17 

Every Epiphany we re-visit the story of Jesus' baptism. This Lectionary Year A, we consider Matthew's account. Like John the Baptist, we ask why, if Jesus is God's son, the Messiah, the Christ, does he need to be baptized? John even exclaims, "It is you who should baptize me!" Why should he who is without sin, be baptized for the forgiveness of sin?

Read Daniel Clendenin's "A Shocking Request and a Stupendous Claim: The Baptism of Jesus;" The Rev. Rick Morley's "Epiphany One Reflection: Bathrobes and Sandals;" "This Sunday's Reflection" by Sister Kym Harris; and, "Baptism of our Lord" by The Rev. Ben E. Helmer.

Why do you think Jesus was baptized? Why do we choose baptism? The Rite of Holy Baptism can be found on pages 297-308 of the Book of Common Prayer. What is our Baptismal Covenant (pp. 304-305 of The Book of Common Prayer)? What happens when we are baptized? What does it mean for us, and our relationship with God, humanity and all God's creation?