Category: Life Notes

Blessed are the Merciful, Part 2 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”[1] Last week, I cited a couple of examples that seem to indicate that the merciful do not necessarily receive mercy, at least as we understand mercy, contrary to the words of Jesus. The first example was of Mother Teresa, a … Continue reading Blessed are the Merciful, Part 2

Blessed are the Merciful “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”[1] This saying is another of the Beatitudes that has no obvious parallel in Luke’s Blessings and Woes. That those who are merciful will receive mercy may seem obvious to most, but not necessarily to the merciful. Acts of mercy often seem to … Continue reading Blessed are the Merciful

Blessed are the Hungry, Part 2 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”[1] “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.”[2] My mother used to try to guilt me into eating whatever food on my plate I did not like by telling me that … Continue reading Blessed are the Hungry, Part 2

Blessed are the Hungry “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”[1] “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.”[2] This combination of one of the Beatitudes from Matthew and a corresponding Blessing and Woe from Luke is particularly interesting. The latter passage from Luke … Continue reading Blessed are the Hungry

Blessed are the Meek, Part 2 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”[1] Unlike many of the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the meek…” does not have a corresponding verse in the Blessings and Woes found in the gospel of Luke. Of course, each author of each gospel had a particular audience they were … Continue reading Blessed are the Meek, Part 2

Blessed are the Meek “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”[1] The present-day implication of being meek is of being weak or unwilling to take a strong action for what one believes is right. So it is puzzling that Jesus would say the meek will inherit the earth. But being meek does … Continue reading Blessed are the Meek

Blessed are the Heartbroken, Part 2 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”[1] “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”[2] One way to understand these parts of the Beatitudes and the Blessings and Woes is to believe Jesus was saying that we will be blessed when we mourn or … Continue reading Blessed are the Brokenhearted, Part 2

Blessed are the Heartbroken “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”[1] “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”[2] As I write these words, it is the week after Easter. In the days preceding what we now celebrate as Easter, the Bible records a lot of heartbreak – people mourning … Continue reading Blessed are the Heartbroken

The Sabbath On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Luke 23:56b Meditation Easter is an interesting day of celebration for many reasons, one of which is how the actual day is determined. It is not a specific calendar day, like Christmas or New Year’s. It is not a specific day of a specific … Continue reading Saturday after Palm Sunday

The Crucifixion After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received … Continue reading Good Friday