Today’s scripture: Matthew 5:1-2 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Brenda Corbello):
For some reason, I could not get past the first line of Matthew 5. I can just picture it. Crowds are gathering all along the bottom of the hill. And Jesus ever so quietly just saunters up to the top of the hill and calmly sits down. I can see all of the heads of the disciples turning and wondering what he was doing. I can see them one by one gathering at His feet and waiting for Him to speak. Once they had settled in, He began to teach. The hush must have come over the crowd, trying to hear what He had to say.
This whole scene reminds me of many of the kindergarten and elementary teachers that I know. When they want to get the attention of their students, they do not shout or raise their voice in any way. They just whisper until a hush spreads across the room and everyone is trying to hear what she is saying. It is a very powerful thing to experience.
I find it absolutely amazing when someone is so confident in themselves that they do not feel obliged to force anyone to listen to what they say. When they speak, people are eager to hear what they have to say and eager to learn as much as they can from them. I imagine Jesus was this kind of teacher. He spoke with such confidence and quiet authority that you could not help but trust the words he spoke.
When I try to imagine what kind of impact I want to have in my community, I often think about what it would be like to have this kind of confidence in myself. The times that I have felt it most earnestly are the times when I have been willing to stop what I am doing before I speak and to invite God into my conversations. When I have quieted myself long enough to separate what is my responsibility and what belongs to God, I have been more successful in communicating the correct message. I am not sure why I forget to do that so often.
Thought for the day: As I rise in the morning, let me invite God into my every interaction. Let me remember what my responsibility is and what is out of my hands. Let me gladly relinquish to God what belongs to God.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.