From: "Roger Rescue"

To: "Roger Rescue"

Cc:

Sent: Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 6:28 AM

Subject: 4-3-23 THOUGHTS

[From Phil Rembleski]

4-3-23   THOUGHTS

The reading below is early in the ministry of our Lord.  Luke’s account of Jesus' powerful words in the early part of Matthew 5 are here. The very basis for our treatment of each other in this world is here.  There is hope for the poor and helpless here, and there is powerful caution to the rich and comfortable!  The words "But I say to you who hear,” sink deeply into a heart that finds itself in the rich and comfortable category.   Surely it’s easier to ride the wave than to actively heed the words of our Lord?  Once more, it’s time for some quality self examination applied without a prideful self-lifting bias.  The reading closes with "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”  We intend to be sons and daughters of the Most High don’t we?

Luke 6:20-36    And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, "Blessed are you who are poor, for  yours is the kingdom of God.  21  "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22  "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23  "Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.                                          [a change of pace is here]
24  "But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. 25  "Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26  "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way. 27  "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  29  "Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30  "Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.  31  "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32  "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33  "If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.  34  "If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35  "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36  "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

My Prayer:
Father God, give us the vision and perception to see those things in our lives that keep us from the kingdom of heaven.  Give us the power to remove those things from our lives.  We want to be your sons and daughters!  Teach us to live in loving mercy toward others. Help us to see that the sense of our lives is about the quality and quantity of love we give, and not ourselves.  Surely, O Lord, we need Your help learning this.  Teach us to pray.  
In the name of our Savior,     Amen.