Nóirín Ní Riain, with the monks of Glenstal Abbey, sings the Beatitudes.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'

In today’s reading, we hear Jesus preaching on the Beatitudes. Take a moment to imagine Jesus and his disciples up the mountain, surrounded by crowds of ordinary people, the local community of the Galilee and beyond, listening intently to his words, feeling encouraged and each identifying with anticipating and receiving God’s blessings in their own situations.

Now we will listen again to the list of blessings that Jesus describes to them, one by one. Each blessing will be followed by a pause. As you hear the words, notice which blessing you most long for or identify with in your own situation.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Pause

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Now, as you look at this scene, on the mountain, take your place in this community.

Look around you on this mountain, and notice, in the crowd, the faces of people you know, the living saints and pray for God’s blessing on them today.

Finally, seated in this sacred space, let the Lord gently draw near to you as you pray and receive his blessing.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen