“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) Along with the poor, Jesus is always at the side of those who mourn. Our Lord and Savior knew great loss and sorrow and is always ready to comfort all those going through periods (sometimes lifetimes) of mourning. The role of comforter and […]
Tag: Happiness
On Our Wealth
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) This Lenten season, I am reflecting on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This is a sub-series of writings as part of a yearlong effort to ponder the gospel of Matthew and look at this text as it relates to the […]
On Our Core Values
Jesus’ declaratory Sermon on the Mount begins with what we often call the “Beatitudes”, a short litany where Jesus calls out the happily blessed in the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 5:2-11) This opening dissertation of the New Testament (as arranged by the early followers of Jesus) brings us immediately to the heart of our Lord […]
On Finding Your People
The gospel narrative attributed to Matthew boldly begins by proclaiming Jesus as a newborn future king, attesting to an earthly and heavenly birthright. As would be the case, those already with regional and religious authority conspire together to confront this would-be threat to their reign. Even Satan makes an early appearance to thwart the Savior’s […]
On Happy Days
If the Liturgical Calendar is a rollercoaster of sorts, Holy Week is when the most number of corkscrews, loops, drops, and twists occur. The week starts, though, with a smile as we ride up the lift-hill. Jesus enters Jerusalem for Passover, welcomed as a conquering hero. He rides a colt symbolizing peace while crowds gather […]
Relevant Reformation 