Monday 11th June, 2012
St Barnabas. 1 Kings 17:1-6. Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth—Ps 120(121):1-8. Matthew 5:1-12.

  
Meditation: mp3 | podcast
Readings: Text | mp3 | podcast

The Shepparton writer, Joseph Furphy, made the point in his novel ‘Such is Life’ that the Beatitudes were spoken by Jesus to ordinary people to show them how to live.

The implication is that the Beatitudes are always relevant to ordinary people. The first Beatitude commends the poor in spirit, those who are not full of themselves but admit there is a gap in their lives only God can fill. Those who mourn will not only be consoled but will be strengthened by God if they turn to him. In the world of our day there is a special place for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

Perhaps the most relevant Beatitude is the one which tells us that the pure of heart will see God. Purity of heart is nothing other than sincerity in the way we approach all our relationships.