Matthew 6:7-15

Meditation: Do you pray with joy and confidence? The Jews were
noted for their devotion to prayer. Formal prayer was prescribed for three
set times a day. And the rabbis had a prayer for every occasion. Jesus
warns his disciples against formalism, making prayer something mechanical
and devoid of meaning, with little thought for God. When Jesus taught his
disciples to pray he gave them the disciple's prayer, what we call the
Our
Father or Lord's Prayer. This prayer dares to call God
"our
Father" and boldly asks for the things we need to live as his sons
and daughters.
It is through the gift of the Holy Spirit that we can know God personally
and call him "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). We can approach God our
Father with confidence and boldness because Jesus Christ has opened the
way to heaven for us through his death and resurrection. When we ask God
for help, he fortunately does not give us what we deserve. Instead, he
responds with grace and favor and mercy. It is his nature to love generously
and to forgive mercifully. When he gives he gives more than we need so
we will have something to share with others in their need as well.
God is kind and forgiving towards us and he expects us to treat our
neighbor the same. Do you treat others as they deserve, or do you treat
them as the Lord would treat you with his grace and favor and mercy? Jesus'
prayer includes an injunction that we must ask God to forgive us in proportion
as we forgive those who have wronged us. Ask the Lord to free your heart
of any anger, bitterness, resentment, selfishness, indifference, or coldness
towards others. Let the Holy Spirit fill you with the fire of his burning
love and compassion and with the river of his overflowing mercy and kindness.
"Father in heaven, you have given me a mind to know you, a will to serve
you, and a heart to love you. Give me today the grace and strength to embrace
your holy will and fill my heart with your love that all my intentions
and actions may be pleasing to you. Give me the grace to be charitable
in thought, kind in deed, and loving in speech towards all."
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

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Robin K Brookes
69 Beresford Road
LOWESTOFT
NR32 2NQ  UK

Matthew 5:43-48

Meditation: What makes Christians different from others and what
makes Christianity distinct from any other religion? It is grace –
treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated
– with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as
the just. His love embraces saint and sinner alike. God seeks our highest
good and teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who
hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are ungrateful and
selfish towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which
God has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can
expect to benefit from doing so. How much harder when we can expect nothing
in return. Our prayer for those who do us ill both breaks the power of
revenge and releases the power of love to do good in the face of evil.
How can we possibly love those who cause us harm or ill-will? With God
all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who believe
and accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. His love conquers all, even our
hurts, fears, prejudices and griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can
free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and
gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has
power to heal and to save from destruction. Do you know the power of Christ's
redeeming love and mercy?
Was Jesus exaggerating when he said we must be perfect as our heavenly
Father is perfect? The original meaning of "perfect" in Aramaic is "completeness"
or "wholeness – not lacking in what is essential." God gives us every good
gift in Jesus Christ so that we may not lack anything we need to do his
will and to live as his sons and daughters (2 Peter 1:3). He knows our
weakness and sinfulness better than we do. And he assures us of his love,
mercy, and grace to follow in his ways. Do you want to grow in your love
for God and for your neighbor? Ask the Holy Spirit to change and transform
you in the image of the Father that you may walk in the joy and freedom
of the gospel.
"Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your
Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with your love that nothing may make
me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make me bitter
towards anyone."
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

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Robin K Brookes
69 Beresford Road
LOWESTOFT
NR32 2NQ  UK

Matthew 5:38-42

Meditation: If someone insults you or tries to take advantage
of you, how do you respond? Do you repay in kind? Jesus approached the
question of just retribution with a surprising revelation of God's intention
for how we should treat others, especialy those who mistreat us. When Jesus
spoke about God's law, he did something no one had done before. He gave
a new standard based not just on the requirements of justice – giving each
their due – but based on the law of grace and love. Jesus knew the law
and its intention better than any jurist or legal expert could imagine.
He quoted from the oldest recorded law in the world:
If any harm follows,
then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for
hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe
(Exodus 21:23-25). Such a law today seems cruel, but it was meant to limit
vengeance as a first step towards mercy. This law was not normally taken
literally but served as a guide for a judge in a law court for assessing
punishment and penalty (see Deuteronomy 19:18). The Old Testament is full
of references to the command that we must be merciful: You shall not
take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people,
but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the  LORD (Leviticus
19:18). If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is
thirsty, give him water to drink (Proverbs 25:21). Do not say, "I
will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he
has done" (Proverbs 24:29). Let him give his cheek to the smiter,
and be filled with insults (Lamentations 3:30).
Jesus does something quite remarkable and unheard of. He transforms
the law of mercy with grace and loving-kindness. Jesus also makes clear
that there is no room for retaliation. We must not only avoid returning
evil for evil, but we must seek the good of those who wish us ill. Do you
accept insults, as Jesus did, with no resentment or malice? When you are
compelled by others to do more than you think you deserve, do you insist
on your rights, or do you respond with grace and cheerfulness?
What makes a Christian different from everyone else? What makes Christianity
distinct from any other religion? It is grace – treating others,
not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated – with loving-kindness
and mercy. Only the cross of  Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny
of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to
return evil with good. Such love and grace has power to heal and to save
from destruction. Do you know the power of Christ's redeeming love and
mercy?
"O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy
Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness,
humility, and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray
for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your
love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and
sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to
be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our
lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after
heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Prayer
of Anselm, 1033-1109 AD)
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

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Robin K Brookes
69 Beresford Road
LOWESTOFT
NR32 2NQ  UK

John 19:31-37

Meditation: Do you know the heart of Jesus – a heart that was
pierced for your sake and mine? Of all the Gospel accounts of Jesus' death,
John mentions that the soldiers pierced his heart with a lance. This was
a fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 12:10: "when they look on him
whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him". The heart of Jesus was
pierced for our sake. He willingly went to the cross and laid down his
life as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. If we want to understand the
depth and breadth of God's love for each of us, then look upon the heart
that was pierced for you and for me. That is the reason Jesus went to the
cross, to redeem us from slavery to sin and death.
True love does not count the cost, but gives everything for the beloved.
Jesus withheld nothing, but gave everything he had for our sake. Saint
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) says that "God loves each of us as if there
were only one of us to love." In the cross of Christ we see the love of
God broken and pierced for our sake. Jesus reigns triumphant at the right
hand of the Father. He has risen in glory for our sake and he intercedes
for us in heaven. He stands before the throne of heaven with his marks
of victory – his pierced side, hands, and feet. Who can fathom the love
of God? For all eternity we will gaze upon him who was crucified and who
rose for our sake. The Lord Jesus calls us to lay down our lives in sacrificial
love for one another. Only a broken and contrite heart can fathom the mercy
of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Do you love as Jesus loves, with a broken
heart that yearns for all to know the love and mercy of God?
"Lord Jesus, your love knows no bounds. Break my heart with the things
that break your heart that I may love generously as you love."
Psalm 34:19-22
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD
delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked; and those who hate the righteous will
be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

Matt 5:20-26

Meditation: Are you ever driven by anger, rage, or revenge? The
first person to hate his brother was Cain. God warned Cain: 'Why are
you angry? ..Sin in couching at the door; it's desire is for you, but you
must master it (Genesis 4:6-7). Sin doesn't just happen to us; it first
grows as a tiny seed in our heart. Unless it is uprooted, by God's grace,
it grows like a weed and chokes the vine and all its fruit. Jesus addressed
the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples. The scribes and
Pharisees equated righteousness with satisfying the outward observance
of the law. Jesus showed them how short they had come. Jesus points to
the heart as the seat of desire and choice. Unless evil and forbidden desires
are eradicated, the heart will be corrupted. Jesus points to forbidden
anger with one's brother. This is a selfish anger that broods and is long-lived,
that nurses a grudge and keeps wrath warm, and that refuses to die. Harboring
anger in the heart as well as anger in speech and action are equally forbidden
by God.
What is the antidote to anger and rage? Mercy, kindness, and forbearance
spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness. God has forgiven us and
he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us
grief and harm.  In the cross of Jesus we see the supreme example
of love and forgiveness and the power of goodness for overcoming evil.
Only God's love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny
of wounded pride and spiteful revenge. Do you harbor any anger towards
another person? And are you quick to be reconciled when a rupture has been
caused in your relationships? Ask God to set you free and to fill your
heart and mind with his love and goodness. Paul the Apostle reminds us
that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit
which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). Through the grace and help of
the Holy Spirit we can overcome malice with good, hatred with kindness,
and injury with pardon.
"May I be no man's enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal
and abides. May I never quarrel with those nearest me: and if I do, may
I be reconciled quickly. May I love, seek, and attain only that which is
good. May I wish for all men's happiness and envy none. May I never rejoice
in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. When I have done or said
what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke
myself until I make amends. May I win no victory that harms either me or
my opponent. May I reconcile friends who are angry with one another. May
I never fail a friend who is in danger. When visiting those in grief may
I be able by gentle and healing words to soften their pain. May I respect
myself. May I always keep tame that which rages within me. May I accustom
myself to be gentle, and never be angry with people because of circumstances.
May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done, but
know good men and follow in their footsteps."  (Prayer
of Eusebius, 3rd century)
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

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Robin K Brookes
69 Beresford Road
LOWESTOFT
NR32 2NQ  UK

Matthew 5:13-16

Meditation: Jesus used ordinary images, such as salt and light,
to convey extraordinary truths. What does salt and light have to teach
us about God and his reign on earth? Salt was a valuable commodity in the
ancient world. People traded with it, like we trade with gold and stock.
Salt also served a very useful purpose in hot climates before the invention
of electricity and refrigeration. Salt not only gave food flavor, it also
preserved meat from spoiling.  Jesus used the image of salt to describe
how his disciples are to live in the world. As salt purifies, preserves,
and penetrates, so the disciple must be as salt in the world of human society
to purify, preserve, and penetrate that society for the kingdom of God
and of his righteousness and peace.
Jesus also used the image of light and a lamp to further his illustration.
Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today.
They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling.
The Jews also understood "light" as an expression of the inner beauty,
truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9).
His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God's grace
not only illumines the darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with
spiritual light, joy, and peace. Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe
how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just
as natural light illumines the darkness and enables one to see visually,
so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us
to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom.  In fact, our mission
is to be light-bearers of Christ so that others may see the truth
of the gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and deception.
Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret. We can try to
hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to
shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways and bad habits,
even when we know what those consequences are. And how tempting to hide
them from others and even from God. But, nonetheless, everything is known
to God who sees all. There is great freedom and joy for those who live
in God's light and who seek his truth. Those who listen to God and heed
his voice will receive more from him. Do you know the joy and freedom of
living in God's light?
"Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my
heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness
of
sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your
will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word
and deed".
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

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Robin K Brookes
69 Beresford Road
LOWESTOFT
NR32 2NQ  UK

Matthew 5:1-12

Meditation: What is the good life which God intends for
us? And how is it related with the ultimate end or purpose of life? Is
it not our desire and longing for true happiness, which is none
other than the complete good, the sum of all goods, leaving nothing more
to be desired? Jesus addresses this question in his sermon on the mount.
The heart of Jesus' message is that we can live a very happy life. The
call to holiness, to be saints who joyfully pursue God's will for their
lives, can be found in these eight beatitudes. Jesus' beatitudes sum up
our calling or vocation – to live a life of the beatitudes. The word beatitude
literally
means "happiness" or "blessedness".
What is the significance of Jesus' beatitudes, and why are they so central
to his teaching? The beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness
that God has placed in every heart. They teach us the final end to which
God calls us, namely the coming of God's kingdom (Matthew
4:17), the vision of God (Matthew 5:8; 1 John 2;1),
entering into the joy of the Lord (Matthew 25:21-23)
and into his rest (Hebrews 4:7-11).  Jesus' beatitudes
also confront us with decisive choices concerning the life we pursue here
on earth and the use we make of the goods he puts at our disposal. God
alone satisfies. Theresa of Avila's prayer book contained a bookmark which
she wrote:  "Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you;
All things pass: God never changes. Patience achieves all it strives for.
Whoever has God lacks nothing, God alone suffices." Is God enough for
you? God offers us the greatest good possible – abundant life in Jesus
Christ (John 10:10) and the promise of unending joy and happiness with
God. Do you seek the highest good, the total good, which is above
all else?
The beatitudes which Jesus offers us are a sign of contradiction to
the world's understanding of happiness and joy. How can one possibly find
happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution? Poverty of spirit
finds ample room and joy in possessing God as the greatest treasure possible.
Hunger of the spirit seeks nourishment and strength in God's word and Spirit.
Sorrow and mourning over wasted life and sin leads to joyful freedom from
the burden of guilt and spiritual oppression. God reveals to the humble
of heart the true source of abundant life and happiness. Jesus promises
his disciples that the joys of heaven will more than compensate for the
troubles and hardships they can expect in this world. Thomas Aquinas said:
"No one can live without joy. That is why a person deprived of spiritual
joy goes after carnal pleasures." Do you know the happiness of hungering
and thirsting for God alone?
"Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for you and show me the way that leads
to everlasting peace and happiness. May I desire you above all else and
find perfect joy in doing your will."
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings