The Beatitudes: The Kingdom Is Ushered In!

On this last day of April, we hear from the Gospel according to Matthew the Beatitudes:

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.  (Mt. 5: 1-10).

Regarding the Beatitudes, Bishop N.T. Wright has stated that they are not mere rules of behavior or instruction so believers.  Rather, according to Bishop Wright, “What Jesus is saying, rather, is, ‘Now that I’m here, God’s new world is coming to birth; and, once you realize that, you’ll see that these are the habits of heart which anticipate that new world here and now.’ These qualities of ‘purity of heart, mercy, and so on are not, so to speak, things you have to do to earn a ‘reward’ a ‘payment.’ Nor are they merely the ‘rules of conduct’laid down for new converts to follow…They are, in themselves, the signs of life, the language of life, the life of new creation, the life of new covenant,the life which Jesus came to bring.” They are signs of the Kingdom of God! Those who are part of God’s Kingdom will live into the Beatitudes.

Let us pray:  Gracious God, through your Son and our Savior, you ushered in Your Kingdom. Send your Holy Spirit that we may live into your Kingdom now and into eternity.  Amen

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE WORSHIP ARTS & MUSIC MINISTRY FROM MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH IN SPRING, TEXAS WHO ENHANCED OUR WORSHIP YESTERDAY!

CALENDAR REMINDERS

TREE PLANTING: This Saturday at9:00 a.m. please join in planting new oak saplings to replace the ash trees that have been taken down.  The saplings have been generously donated by Bob Newding.

ART CLASS WITH LEE RUNION: Friday evening, 11 May (Wine & Art), and then Saturday, 12 May.  The class will be making stepping stones.

PRAYER LIST: Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550