Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 4th Sunday of Easter: Year 2
Morning, Psalms 41 and 52; Evening, Psalm 44;
Exodus 32:1 to 20; Colossians 3:18 to 4:18; Matthew 5:1 to10:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Of all the Beatitudes, (as they are called), I like “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God,” the best. I have become aware of the Enneagram personality types. I am a 9 on their spectrum. The 9’s are traditionally those who try to bring people together, they are peace makers. They listen to others and work to find consensus.
Of Matthew 5:9, I prefer the Spanish translation of verse 9 of this chapter of Matthew. It reads, “Dichosos los que trabajan por la paz,porque Dios los llamará hijos suyos.” Roughly translated it says blessed are those who “work” for peace, they will be called children of God.” It might be nitpicking but in the English translation, if peace is not actually accomplished, you fall short of the title peacemaker. However in the Spanish version you are called a child of God if you “work” for peace. None of us knows for sure if our efforts will bring about the intended results, whether it’s planning a conference or actually bringing about peace. All we can do is work towards the goal.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, the Author of love and harmony, You yourself have experienced our human condition and are fully aware of our pitiful state. And yet you set us an example of how to live in peace. Teach us still how to work towards peace no matter how difficult it seems. Make us children of God in God’s world today. In your most holy Name we pray, Amen.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 