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 The Blessings of Life-Hidden in Mysterious Places  

The focus of the “Day by Day” reflection for Monday was Luke 9:58:

Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”  

The reflection-writer states: ‘Luke 9 contains bookend sections where Jesus describes the cares and preoccupations of the world. At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus sends his disciples out and tells them to take nothing, not even a change of clothes. The chapter ends with Jesus showing that he is willing to do the same.’            

There are many interpretations of these words from the Son of God.   My personal motto, in my adult years, is:

“I would not ask someone to do something I am not prepared to do myself.”  

Then someone, who knows me well, would say ‘I’m not sure, Brian. If you ask someone to sing, are you sure you want to sing if they don’t!’  

Well, maybe not.            

In Matthew Ch. 5, we read the Beatitudes:

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.  

‘The Beatitudes’ express the complete opposite of the norms for today’s society.  

What Jesus teaches,  and what we teach to this day, is “it is not about the material goods we have stored up which count.”  

The real gifts of life are often hidden in the most mysterious places.  

Blessings for this week,
Archdeacon Brian+