sermon on the plain

Good morning all,
This is a familiar passage to many of us. It mirror's Matthew's telling of Jesus' sermon on the mount, but this is a sermon on the plain. Also, Luke's telling can be a bit more jarring or comforting, depending on where we sit. Jesus says the poor are blessed, and especially those who are persecuted for faithfulness to Jesus. Like many places in scripture, there's an assumption that faithfulness will be difficult because the world is largely opposed to Jesus. The flip side of that is that if everyone says good things about us, we should be wary since the world often values fitting in and going along with an immoral situation. Jesus warns that false prophets are usually the ones who get the fame and appreciation. May we always seek the true kingdom bravely and with love.

Blessings,
Sam

Luke 6:20-26

20Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice 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. 24“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25“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. 26“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.