Consider the Word, February 10, 2022

Consider the Word, February 10, 2022
6^th Sunday after Epiphany
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for February 13:

• Jeremiah 17:5-10
• Psalm 1
• 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
• Luke 6:17-26

 
Collect

Almighty and everliving God,

whose Son Jesus Christ healed the sick

and restored them to wholeness of life,

look with compassion on the anguish of the world,

and by your power make whole all peoples and nations;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Luke 6:17-26

Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets."

 
Reflection Questions

1. Is there a metaphorical difference between the “level place” of this reading and the “he went up the mountain” from Matthew 5?
2. How do we manifest the values and practices of God’s realm in the midst of life?

 
Closing Prayer

God, you root those who trust in you

by streams of healing water.

Release us from the bonds of disease,

free us from the power of evil,

and turn us from falsehood and illusion,

that we may find the blessing of new life in you

through the power of Christ. Amen.

 
The Message: Luke 6:17-26

^17-21 Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him—so much energy surging from him, so many people healed! Then he spoke:

You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all.

God’s kingdom is there for the finding.

You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry.

Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal.

You’re blessed when the tears flow freely.

Joy comes with the morning.

^22-23 “Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.

²⁴ But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made.

What you have is all you’ll ever get.

What you have is all you’ll ever get.

²⁵ And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself.

Your self will not satisfy you for long.

Your self will not satisfy you for long.

And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games.

There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it.

²⁶ “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson