Lectio Divina: The Beatitudes

In this Lectio Divina, we contemplate the Beatitudes (Blessed be); the twelve sayings of Jesus found at the start of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12). These are among the most well-known sayings of Jesus, and yet they are among the least reflected upon. With each reading, you are invited to allow the Spirit to draw you into one of the sayings and to reflect deeply upon its meaning for you and how you should respond. May the seed of today's word sink deeply into the soil of your heart.

Transcript

Hi,

This is Mark Glatman,

Also known as Brother Frederick James,

And I welcome you to this Lectio Divina audio as we contemplate the Beatitudes in Matthew Chapter 5 verses 1 to 12.

These are eight short sayings of Jesus called the Beatitudes because it's how each saying begins in Latin,

Which is translated,

Blessed Are.

They're among the most popular and most well known of Jesus' teachings.

However,

It's possible that all the times you've read them you haven't really given them too much deep thought.

So my prayer for you as you enter this time is that the Spirit will draw you to one particular Beatitude that Jesus shares here,

And that in the space of contemplation to let that saying really speak to your heart.

Don't let your preconceived notions or previous ideas about what each of these sayings might mean dictate what they speak to you.

Come at them in a way that the Spirit leads.

Maybe God's leading you to look at these sayings in a non-dual kind of way or a wisdom kind of way.

Maybe the Spirit will be leading you to consider one of these in a way that means you have to put something into action today.

Or perhaps what the Beatitude speaks to you is about a condition of heart,

That perhaps you need to take some time to reflect and to start a process of transformation so that you can continue to grow into the person that God has called you to be.

Whatever it is for you,

May this time of reflection on these eight sayings allow the words of Jesus to really sink down deep.

And remember that this recording is always here,

So come back a few times if you need to and allow the Spirit to speak to you about some of these other Beatitudes as you're drawn to reflect on them with God.

So I invite you to sit comfortably,

To breathe deeply in and out,

And let's begin our time.

Gracious God,

As we pause and reflect on these sayings Jesus shared with the disciples,

We ask that you will speak to us deeply.

May your Spirit draw us to that Beatitude that we most need to reflect upon today.

May that change and transformation we need begin even now within us,

So that we in turn can be agents of change and transformation in our world,

In our communities,

In our homes,

And in our workplaces.

Open our ears to hear,

Our eyes to see,

Our minds to think,

And may the seed of the Word find good soil in our hearts to bear fruit that will last wherever we go.

Amen.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Amen.

Amen.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Reviews

Manna for today. I’m grateful.

There is a lot in those verses to contemplate. I think I will daily for the next week. Thank you.

The beatitudes to start the new year🙏🏻
Thank you

Beautifully done. 🙏💕😇

In The Chosen, Jesus says these are where people will find Him: amongst the poor in spirit, the peacemakers, the pure in heart etc. It's a good thought.
Listening to the meditation today, I noticed for the first time that the poor in spirit and the persecuted obtain the same reward: the Kingdom of Heaven. Interesting. 🤔

Excellent! Nicely paced and gentle music background. Thank you !

This is such a blessing!