Reflecting on the fourth Sunday after epiphany part 3

Where we have come from: 

readings for Sunday 2nd February (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany)

Micah 6:1-8 

Psalm 15 

I Corinthians 1:18-31 

Matthew 5:1-12 

Readings for Today -  Wed., Feb. 5 

Psalm 37:1-17 

Ruth 3:1-13; 4:13-22 

Luke 6:17-26 

Thought for Today

Today we have more from Ruth - if you have time read the whole story - pick up where we left off yesterday at the end of chapter 2 and read to the end of the book. The reading from Luke's gospel is his version of the beatitudes - part of what is sometimes called the sermon on the plain. The are possibly more hard hitting here, partly because of the categories - the poor, the hungry, and the weeping (compared with poor in spirit, hungry for righteousness, mourning), and partly because of the corresponding 'woes' that follow. What are we to make of these woes? They don't seem to fit with the pictures of Jesus that we often draw for ourselves. What might us especially uncomfortable is that if we have a computer, access to the internet, and time to be writing or reading blogs we might well be in the categories of the woes rather than the blessings. Only God in Christ can turn us around.

Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission.