Welcome to this time of worship.
- Our service begins with the singing of one of two hymns, the more contemporary song being found here and the traditional hymn being here.
- The video and audio-only versions of the service are both located above.
- Following the blessing you are again invited to join in the singing of either a contemporary song or a traditional hymn.
Leading in worship today are: Marlene, Denise, Fiona and Robin.
To view the sermon only, copy & paste this link into your browser: https://youtu.be/stYWhhVhyEE
THE BEATITUDES (Matthew 5:1-12)
SUMMARY
We are invited to see the Beatitudes not so much as simply rules to obey but as a portrait of spiritual maturity - a life awakened to God’s presence within and among us. Beginning with Paul’s image of spiritual infancy, we contrast “milk” faith (dependent on external laws and moral instruction) with “solid food” faith (rooted in inner transformation and discernment). The Beatitudes, then, describe what happens when we grow up spiritually: we move beyond reward‑based religion into a way of being marked by vulnerability, compassion, gentleness, and courage. Jesus’ blessings reveal how divine grace flows through human weakness and how maturity means learning to live from a motive of love rather than fear.
Each Beatitude can be seen as a facet of this awakened life - poverty of spirit as openness, our willingness to mourn as the courage we need to ‘feel’, our meekness as our strength without aggression, our showing of mercy as our being in solidarity, purity of heart as seeing God everywhere, peacemaking as reconciling love, and possible/probable persecution as the cost of living ‘awake’. Together they form a vision of Christ’s kingdom coming on earth through lives that embody grace and spaciousness. The call is not to earn blessing but to be blessed enough to recognize God as already shimmering in the ordinary and the broken, and to grow into the freedom of living our lives aligned with Christ’s way.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Where in my life am I still living on “milk” rather than “solid food” — relying on rules instead of inner discernment?
How might vulnerability or mourning open me to deeper compassion?
What does meekness or mercy look like in my relationships and community?
How can I live the Beatitudes as a daily practice of seeing God’s presence in unexpected places?