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29-Jan-23 (Matthew 6:1-12)

We've heard the words of the Beatitudes so many times that they probably lose their scandalousness. I expect that the original hearers were probably saying the Aramaic version of "Say what?!" as Jesus talked about all those unlikely folks that were blessed. Once you begin to see a bit about how God sees things, it does begin to make sense.
Likewise, we've heard the words of the Last Supper so many times, they too may not seem as scandalous as they did to their first hearers. "This is my body, broken for you."
"Wait! What? Your body? Broken? What can that mean?"
Part of what we remember here is the depth of love that Jesus showed for us in that even suffering and dying wasn't too much to give to show that love to us. If he can forgive even those who treated him so, he can surely forgive us. And so he has.
Let us pray.

Prayer:

God whose love is greater than any suffering, we thank you for Jesus, who taught us how to live as servants and friends to you and your children. We thank you that he showed your depth of love that would forgive even sending Jesus to the cross. We thank you for these symbols that represent that love to us.
As we take the bread and cup, fill us anew with your Spirt, that we may truly live out all Jesus showed us.
In the name of Jesus, our Risen Lord, Amen.