A Meditation and Collect for Epiphany 4
1 Corinthians 1: 18-31
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
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.
The Sermon on the Mount
Early in Matthew’s Gospel account, Jesus summarises His teaching and lays the foundation stone of Christian faith and life on a mountainside near Capernaum. He begins His sermon with the list of blessings we know as the Beatitudes. You might call them a Christian wish list – but they are certainly not a list of desirables according to the values of the world. In fact they turn those worldly aspirations inside out.
Who would want spiritual poverty, to mourn, to be persecuted, to be lied about, insulted? At the very least to be called foolish for proclaiming a crucified teacher as Lord and Saviour?
Jesus doesn’t address the wealthy and powerful, as you would expect – His message is to the sorrowful, the poor, the broken-hearted and those rejected by polite society. ‘Ordinary’ people, but loved by their creator just as much as the self-satisfied religious and political leaders, kings and emperors who are full of their own importance. ‘Ordinary’ – but profoundly blessed in all the ups and downs of life in the real world.
The sermon continues. He refers to His followers as salt, whose individuality contributes to the wonderful diversity of God’s creation. Each have special gifts, and are given the responsibility to use them according to the commandment to love as He loves. To forgive, seek peace and reconciliation; to live truthfully; to offer charity; to pray quietly and directly to your Father in heaven.
Be assured of your salvation, He tells them, and don’t spend your life worrying; seek justice, serve others and build your life on the cornerstone I offer.
The crowd have never heard teaching like this before, unlike the insincerity of the scribes and Pharisees, and they are amazed at the authority Jesus conveys. It’s no wonder that they, and the millions of disciples through the ages who call Jesus Lord, will be sustained by His words in the face of unspeakable suffering.
The theologian Dietrich Bonhoffer discusses the Sermon on the Mount in detail in his book ‘The Cost of Discipleship’, regarding it as the basis of Christian living; that view sustained him through imprisonment, torture and murder by the Nazis. He believed it to be a practical guide for action in the face of prejudice, injustice and violence. It is as relevant today as it was then.
Christ’s words are given to all His people in the face of the difficulties we ourselves face in life. We claim them and are assured of Blessing. And that is all we need.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 22nd February 2026
If we are to appreciate the gentleness of a lamb, we need to know its opposite. If we are to understand what safety is, we need also to experience the possibility of danger.
Praying Together 15th February 2026
Perhaps, when we pray, we need to remember it is the Jesus on the Mountain to whom we address our prayers, the one whose face shines like the sun and transfigures our faces as we radiate in His light.
Praying Together February 8th 2026
Is Jesus suggesting, not to eat and drink? And is he saying we should not wear clothes but go naked?
How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
Praying Together January 25th 2026
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Praying Together 18th January 2026
In prayer, we ask: Who is God calling to come and use their specific individual gifts to continue to build His Kingdom in the future?
His reply is clear.
“You”, He says.
Praying Together 11 January 2026
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Praying Together 21st December 2025
Joseph’s example is one of love, human reaction, vocation and ultimate obedience to his Creator. So we rightly celebrate both Mary and Joseph as the chosen parents of the Christ-child. But we must also remember that they were ordinary people with human emotions who lived extraordinary lives.
Praying Together December 7th 2025
By your grace we have the gift of the Scriptures. With the help your grace, may we listen deeply to what you want to say to each one of us. May we know your gifts of endurance, encouragement and hope, so that not only our lips but also our lives may be a song in praise of your mercy.
Praying Together November 30th November 2025
The significance of the Themes and Candles we light during the Advent Season.
Praying Together 23rd November 2025
We celebrate the beginning of the story in Advent – but before we do, it is equally important to celebrate the final act of Coronation. The Gospel proclaims that Jesus is King.
Praying Together 16th November 2025
In ways, the Christian Journey is like a race – a Marathon, not a sprint. The key is endurance, Jesus says. There will be mountains to climb, tears and heartache in the depths of your soul, and it will sometimes feel like it’s impossible to carry on. But the world will continue, and end only in God’s good time.
Praying Together 9th November 2025
Every selfless act honours our Christ. In Him, we are one. Whoever we are. We are all His family, and violence against each other is violence against Him.