Prayer: Lord, the beatitudes make it clear life can be difficult and troubling. Still, may we rejoice and be exceedingly glad. Amen
Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: "Blessed are You" is the choir anthem we have been rehearsing for about a month now. We'll be singing it this Sunday as Matthew 5: 1-12 - The Beatitudes - will be the Gospel Reading. With a rousing chorus of "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven!", it's an anthem that sticks in your head and you find yourself singing it out loud. At least I do. At random moments. In random places. I try to keep it to myself but this chorus has burst out a bunch of times. Full voice; with enthusiasm. After this Sunday another anthem may get stuck in my head. But for the past few weeks I have been reminded to "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad!" And I have noticed not only has the song stuck in my head but the feeling has stuck in my heart, too. I have rejoiced a bit more and not just in song. I have been exceedingly glad even when things are difficult and troubling. Yes, I have noticed that. I wonder if anyone else has? I know I have surprised a few people at least. Whoa! She really must be exceedingly glad. -- Ruth Gates
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
Anyone is welcome to contribute! If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail [email protected] Email
Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:
Archives
May 2022
Subscribe |