ST. MATTHEW 5:1-2, 7

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2007
 

THE BEATITUDES - PART 5

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. ST. MATTHEW 5:1-2, 7 (NKJV)

This is probably the easiest of the Beatitudes to understand while among the hardest to fulfill. To be merciful is to recognize the sufferings of others and to do all that can be done to relieve these people of their suffering. The history of the Christian Church shows a long tradition of being in the forefront of helping the suffering. In the past fifty to seventy-five years much of the ministry of being merciful has been handed over to the government and private industry. Some blame this erosion on government regulations, others on lack of financial resources in local congregations, and possibly the biggest factor is Christians no longer seeing beyond their own needs.

I will be addressing many of these concerns in my RAMBLING THOUGHTS page in the coming months.

As you meditate on this verse think of those who need the gift of mercy, a gift that you can give. Don’t limit your definition of suffering to pain, to disabilities, poverty or hunger. Everyone knows someone who is suffering, but only the Christian can provide the mercy those who are suffering need. If you really can’t identify someone who is suffering, write to me and I will be happy to give you some suggestions.

And what happens when you show mercy? You will receive the mercy of God. Always keep in mind: "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto Me."

WE PRAY: LORD, Let me be an instrument of Thy Peace. AMEN.

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION.

Think of an elderly person who lives alone. Most of these people will never tell you if they are suffering. Try to put yourself in their place in order to see if there is a void in that life, a void important enough to suggest suffering. Then pray asking God what you can do.