Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Taking the Gospel to Prayer
Here is another text that we think we "know". This story of the Beatitudes is the beginning of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount - Chapters 5 to 7 of Mark's Gospel. We find ourselves at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and the crowds are beginning to take notice of Him.
Some scholars say that Jesus went out to this place so that more people could hear His message. But I offer you another perspective today as well. Note the beginning of the passage:
"When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him."
We know that Jesus often went to pray alone to prepare for His work. Perhaps, this text came from His prayer and was directed to the disciples before Jesus addressed the crowd.
It really doesn't impact the importance of the text but I offer it as a reminder that we too need to step aside and pray, as Jesus did, for the work we undertake in God's name.
These "be - attitudes" give us positive directives as compared to the "shalt nots" of the 10 Commandments. Here is the outline of Jesus' expansion of how to live in accordance with God's Law.
Read this text slowly and look for the attitude that is challenging to you. Spend time discerning how you might better take on the attitude presented.
Help me, Lord, to refine my attitudes to be like Yours. Guide my heart and my actions that I may know and serve You better each day.
Lord Jesus, help me to grow closer to You today.
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