Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
MEDITATIONS
FOR A LOST WORLD
ANTHONY G DALTON
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and purpose of the life and death of Jesus. A life that transformed the world. These
words still maintain their potency and with the grace of God they still have the
Whenever you come to prayer you should find place that is quiet. Such a place
potential to change the world. But they are not easy words for they challenge you to
should help you to avoid the distractions of life and lend itself to quiet reflection.
practise your faith in the world. They do not allow you to withdraw or even to live
Gentle music may assist you as may symbols that remind you that this is a special
your faith in a private and personal manner but to carry it into the world where you
time. To help you to quieten yourself within, remain physically still. The best way
to do this is to breathe quietly and rhythmically and sit up straight. If you imagine
someone has tied a piece of string to the crown of your head and is pulling it up this
In the Beatitudes Jesus distinguishes between two types of people. Those who are
will straighten your spine and help you to both relax and concentrate at the same
apparently successful and those who by outward appearances are to be pitied, but in
time. Alternatively you could lie on the floor, though resist the temptation to cross
his judgement are blessed. These are the people who have rejected what has been
your arms or legs as this hinders your circulation and leads to restlessness.
offered to them by the world perhaps having tasted the fruit offered and found it
wanting. The salvation of the world and its people does not lie in riches, taking and
Reading the selected text may assist your understanding of the meditation and this is
arrogance, but in poverty, giving and humility as demonstrated by Jesus in his life
best undertaken slowly. Finally read through the passage in the booklet you have
chosen then take some time to be still afterwards. This is the most important part of
the reflection. It is here that you should strive to listen for the gentle whisper of
By their very nature these words are not to be gulped down like fast food, but their
Gods voice. Write down anything that comes to mind, particularly if it is new or
sweetness is only released as they are slowly savoured. This means coming to
startling. Before you act upon anything you have learned talk to an adult friend as
prayer with an attitude of openness and receptivity, prepared to have all your
they will help you to truly understand any revelations you have received.
preconceptions shattered and blown away by the wind of the Spirit and then replaced
and rebuilt. They will become a foundation upon which to build your life and
ultimately a new world.
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Readings:
If you seek to hang on to what you have you will not be able to open your hands to
Ephesians 3:20
The only way we can enter into God's Kingdom is as subjects, fully surrendered,
recognising our own poverty, letting go of all we have and all we are. If we seek to
control we proclaim ourselves lords and establish our own kingdoms. We can only
As middle class Australians when we consider the poverty of the third world we see
ourselves as being rich. On the other hand when we cast an eye toward Beverly Hills
we can reckon that we are a bit hard done by. Riches are highlighted by poverty
Jesus does not ask us to submit in order to impoverish us, but rather to bless us with
St Peter and the Prophet Isaiah recognised their own poverty only when they came
face to face with the overwhelming power of God.
encompassing. Isaiah cried, "Woe is me, I am ruined", Peter collapsed onto his
knees saying to Jesus, "Depart from me Lord for I am a sinful man". Surprisingly
this was not the point of their damnation, rather it was the moment of their salvation.
By recognising their poverty they were received into the Kingdom of heaven.
As humans we seem caught up with striving to the point where we can do no more
and finally recognising our poverty we invite Jesus in. It is then that Jesus is able to
provide us with riches beyond that which we ever dreamed of.
Tozer says .."we will hardly set our feet out of time into eternity..and.. we will bow
our heads in shame and humiliation. We'll gaze on eternity and say, 'My God. Look
at all the riches there were in Jesus Christ, and I've come to here almost a pauper.'"
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Meditation - Poverty
Place yourselves in the throne room before the King of Kings where,as Isaiah says,
Your Response:
"God sits upon His throne high and exalted". Watch as God steps down from the
throne and comes to greet you.
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Hear God as he says, "My child I wish to clothe you in splendor....take of your
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cloak." You look down and notice with a shock and some confusion the shabby rags
that you are dressed in. Before you entered you thought they were splendid robes
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but, in the light of Christ's riches they are as nothing. Despite the overwhelming
shame you take of your cloak and stand in rags before God - as did Isaiah and Peter,
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in that moment realising Jesus always sees us as we truly are without pretence,
without possessions, without anything.
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clothes you in royal robes welcoming you into the Kingdom of Heaven. It is now at
this point of surrender and renewal Jesus is at last able to use you.
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Only by recognising and acknowledging your poverty can you accept the riches
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Jesus has to offer and be enabled to bring about the Kingdom of Heaven here on
earth. Only through releasing what you have can you open your hands to accept the
gifts of God.
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Readings:
God does not promise that we will live a life free of pain, a life filled with peace and
joy. But neither does God abandon us in our time of need. God is already at the
point of human suffering and it is at this point we are called to meet God, to embody
God's love and God's compassion. Where there is sadness, where there is pain,
where there are tears, God is present.
For some their pain has eased though they may carry the scars. But perhaps you are
among those who remain in the black pit of mourning that threatens to overwhelm.
A grief that sits like a rock in your stomach at times overshadows every other
thought; feeling like it will never abate let alone go away. How could it possibly? It
is so consuming. Even Jesus reached the point when he was on the cross where his
pain became so overwhelming he accused God of abandoning him in his moment of
greatest need.
Such pain brings grief and some find that they cannot let go of their grief, as their
pain represents all that is left of what they have lost. They fear that in letting go of
their pain, they will completely lose that for which they are grieving. So they hold
on to their pain as a kind of memorial.
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Meditation - Mourn
upon you. Be assured that although there is pain, Jesus has promised a time of
comfort.
All of us have experienced change and therefore loss. Such loss brings with it grief
and mourning. Perhaps you are still mourning or have you not allowed yourself to
Sometimes because the burden of carrying the loss has been so great even when it is
mourn, pushing your pain deep down inside. For those who do mourn and for those
released you may still feel the ache. It is not unlike carrying a heavy bag over a long
who have failed to mourn you may find it helpful to return to the point of loss.
distance, even after you set it down your muscles continue to ache, but little by little
the ache fades.
Relive your experience of loss. Remember who was there, what was said, what the
surroundings were. As you sit amid your grief, your loss, look around and you will
God has promised you comfort and sometimes all you have left to hang onto are
God's promises. God's Sacred word says "All God's promises find their yes in God".
Listen now to God's promise to you. "Blessed, Blessed are you who mourn for you
Continue to search until you find him. Jesus has experienced loss and has already
will be comforted." All you need do is hand over your loss to Christ and trust he will
walked with you through your loss. There he knows your pain and so he walks
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When you finish speaking stand before Jesus and watch as he reaches out and
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releases the burden of pain that you carry - as though untying the straps of a back
pack allowing the weight to crash to the ground. Feel the relief and sense of
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lightness as the weight of grief is taken from you. You may continue to feel sadness
and may continue to mourn but no longer does your sadness weigh you down - no
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longer does it blind your eyes to God's compassion as Jesus mourns and weeps with
you feeling your pain.
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Listen to the words of healing he speaks to you and know the blessings he bestows
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Readings:
Luke 16:13,
If Jesus had failed to humble himself to the point where he gave up his life, he would
Blessed are the Meek
Experience the strength of Jesus as you give over to him all those things that you
depend upon.
Who or what is your master, whom do you serve and whom do you manipulate? Is it
the will of God or the will of the world that you promote? Are you willing to admit
Now give over to him all those things that you use to help you find your way. Say to
you have failed in order to succeed? Are you willing to admit you are poor in order
him, "Lord I wish only to see with your eyes." As he accepts these things listen to
that you might be made rich? Are you willing to be lost in order that you might be
him as he says to you, "My child you trust in me with all of your heart. Lean not on
found? Are you willing to die in order that you might truly live? What do you want
your own understanding, acknowledge me in all of your ways and I will make your
- what the world offers or what God offers - what does it profit someone if they
path straight."
should gain the world but lose their soul? As you place yourself in a position of
weakness, (as society judges) you become increasingly dependent upon God for the
See now with the eyes of Christ, in the light of the beatitudes. Those who are exalted
outcome. If you give all God will reciprocate. God will work with as much as you
in heaven are the poor, meek, hungry, merciful, peacemakers and the outcasts. Are
Reflect now on what you hold back? What is it that you use as a crutch to stand tall
before others, to hold your head high? Jesus only wants you to use one thing in this
Your Response:
manner - him. If you fail to hand your crutches over you will never learn to stand in
Christ.
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Imagine yourself as you are in Christ's eyes. Disabled and blind. Spiritually you are
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but a child. In order to receive your sight, in order for you to stand you must give
yourself into Jesus hands.
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Picture yourself giving to Jesus your crutches. Say to him, "Lord I wish only to
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stand in your strength". As he accepts these things listen to him as he says, "They
that put their hope in me will renew their strength, they will rise on wings of eagles,
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they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint."
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Readings:
priorities in order. If you place God first your life will be directed by the Spirit's
1John 2:15 - 17
wisdom, understanding and love in a way that will constantly uplift and amaze you.
God is not asking you to disregard all else - you are being called to put your
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Your Response:
we need God to show us what it is that we waste time and energy pursuing..
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In the beginning Adam's life was the Garden of Eden. His life was reflected in that
garden - It could be seen where he put his energies, what he valued most, where he
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What do you see? Is your garden full of weeds? Is it overgrown? Is one part
nurtured while the rest is dying? What are the fruits of your life?
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Take time to walk though your life listening and allowing God to highlight and
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Readings:
Jesus shared a number of stories about mercy. The Good Samaritan where an injured
Luke 10:30 - 37
man is overlooked by his friends but assisted by an enemy is probably the most
memorable. Mercy is much more than simply feeling pity, it is being actively
The beatitudes consistently reveal to us that the values of Gods Kingdom are in
opposition to those embraced by society. God says blessed are the merciful for they
shall receive mercy while society says the weak get walked on and only the strong
Perhaps we are like the servant in Jesus' story who while he received mercy in
survive.
having a large debt cancelled, did not truly experience it. This is reflected in his
failure to demonstrate mercy by cancelling a much smaller debt to someone who
Mercy is not regarded as a strong quality, though it takes a far stronger person to
owed him money. God will not withhold mercy from any who seek it. God has
extend mercy than to exercise strength. Would it have been easier for Jesus to call
already extended mercy to all people and desires that they would acknowledge and
down legions of angels, as he was capable of, or be led meekly like a lamb to the
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Meditation - Mercy
Stand in the presence of Christ and ask that you might experience the full extent of the
Your Response:
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a strong summer sun. Because Jesus will not withhold any good thing ask for an
experience of that mercy as deep and moving as that of the young prostitute who wept
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over Jesus' feet kissing them, washing them with her tears and drying them with her
hair.
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Finally ask Jesus for a merciful heart that you might go out into all the world and
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communion with God it remains an endless supply that wells up within us.
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Readings:
things. This is true even in tragic situations or difficult individuals where Jesus
influence has been tainted by humanity's selfishness, greed, pride or wilfulness.
To recognise the handiwork of our friend we need to cultivate intimacy with Jesus.
Everything we perceive is affected by our attitude of heart. It is like placing a red film
Purity of heart is not something we can just put on or an attitude we can assume. It is a
across our eyes everything that we see becomes red and it is impossible to see things as
perspective of life that we first discover when we meet Jesus and then cultivate as we
they really are. If we have a negative or critical attitude everything is tainted by our
begin to draw near to Christ. As intimacy with Jesus develops, we begin to turn away
negative outlook and it becomes impossible to see purely. The pure in heart are able to
see God clearly because nothing pollutes or interrupts their view. They see all things
through the eyes of Christ and this is a gift of God. We need to ask God for the mind
What is it that hinders you from attending to Jesus? They are not always bad things,
they can be good things, like family or even works of charity. Sometimes it is just a
matter of gaining balance in an area of your life.
But, it is not just a matter of shedding things, it is also important to embrace the values
of the Kingdom. You need to examine yourself regularly to see where your treasure
lies for that is where your heart is. You become what you feed on and if you are to
have a pure heart you need to contemplate pure things.
St Paul exhorts us to meditate upon those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely,
admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. In seeking Gods grace as we meditate on these
things there is a transformation in our heart in the way we see the world. Thomas a'
Kempis writes, "There is nothing created so small and mean that it does not reflect the
goodness of God."
It is not because Jesus reveals himself that we are able to see him but rather as we
constantly meditate on him we begin to recognise Jesus character and handiwork in all
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Meditation - Pure
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Imagine a person or situation where you have struggled to see God or where you have
desired to see God at work. It does not have to be a tragic situation it could be
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something such as the monotony of work. It does not have to be a difficult person it
could be a friend.
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Now ask God to grant you purity of heart, the eyes and the mind of Christ so that you
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can see God's hand in what stands before you, so that the film is removed from your
eyes. Reflect on the words "There is nothing created so small and mean that it does not
(in some way) reflect the goodness of God."
Continue to reflect on the image before you. Do not neglect to persevere in prayer
asking God to give you the grace to see with the eyes of the pure of heart. Continue to
search until you find that spark of Gods goodness, no matter now small, it exists.
Remember though, that in his moment of greatest pain on the cross even Jesus lost
sight of God as we all will at times. But like Jesus we need only persevere and trust.
Your Response:
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Readings:
Christ enabling us to discern the will of the Spirit so we know whether we should
Thessalonians 5:16 - 18
submit or struggle.
circumstances in which we find ourselves are in our best interest. Giving thanks
Blessed are the Peacemakers
invites God in to use our situation to bring about the Kingdom. Consider the story of
Joni Erikson, a woman who in the prime of her life became a quadriplegic. Had she
not reached finally the point where she could thank God for her circumstance and
God is a God of peace and the purpose in sending Jesus was to reconcile us to God.
invite God to use her in a way which touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of
God's motivation? A deep unquenchable love for us. God has given to us a ministry of
people, she would possibly have remained an angry young woman in a wheelchair.
reconciliation. We are called to reflect Jesus to the world. Our desire should be for
peace through reconciling people to one another and to God. Our motive like God's,
Being a peacemaker is not an easy out. As peacemakers we are called to take a stand,
should be love. Anything else will not sustain us in a world in which people are
to move into the midst of warring parties, not stand at the edges and shout. We are
alienated from God and from one another. If we are to be peacemakers we must first
called to action, to give of our time, of our resources, of ourselves. Jesus success as a
know peace ourselves so that if we find ourselves in the midst of lifes conflicts and
peacemaker came at the point of his death. It's not just a theological stance it's a choice
which involves laying down our own lives, accepting God's will and taking up the
cross of Jesus. Being a peacemaker cost Jesus his life.
In order to protect our peace we need to look at those things in our lives that destroy
our peace. Lack of peace usually arises from conflict. Conflict in turn is often present
when there is a clash of wills or when there is some confusion, anxiety or fear.
If we are experiencing any of these it is possible that we have failed to obey God or are
not trusting in God. Paul says, "Rejoice, pray constantly and in all circumstances give
thanks because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you". We rejoice because we
know we are the children of a sovereign God and if we allow it, with and through God
eventually we will be enabled to find something good in even the worst of
circumstances.
We pray constantly because it maintains our communion with God through the Risen
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Meditation - Peace
Consider your life. Is your life primarily peace-filled or riddled with conflict? Do you
know God's perfect peace? As you reflect on your life focus on the areas that appear
dark or feel heavy and you will see the places in your life where you do not have God's
Your Response:
peace? Ask God to reveal to you areas in which you are not fully submitted and need
assistance. You may have given only part of the problem to God or you may not have
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are aware of that in the future may rob you of your peace. Allow God to care for them
and accept in exchange the gift of peace. Remember that peace is a gift that God has
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given to you. No one can take it away from you. Only you and you alone can give it
away. Refuse to buy into turmoil and confusion. Take the gift of peace that Jesus
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offers you and hold onto it. Once you find that peace remember to continue to
commune with God and dwell only on those things that are right, pure, lovely,
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admirable, excellent or praiseworthy and you will retain God's perfect peace.
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If you do not immediately find peace, be patient with yourself. God recognises our
fragility and is usually more gentle with us than we are with ourselves. Continue to
"pray constantly" by lifting your heart up to God where ever you are throughout the
day praising God and asking for the grace to be peacemakers and experience the peace
that passes all understanding.
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Readings:
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Meditation - Rejection
Remember that if you experience persecution or rejection what people are really doing
Ask Jesus to take you back to an experience of or the root of your rejection.
is rejecting their own experience of pain, not you. We are charged to have compassion
on them and in doing so we are planting the seeds of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Recall the place, the surroundings, the people who were present. Become aware of
yourself and your feelings just prior to the experience. Know that at this moment Jesus
Your Response:
is with you. You may see him or just sense his presence, but be assured he is with you.
Know that he experienced deep and painful rejection from his own kind and that he
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understands and loves you. In knowing this, reflect on how you now feel.
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As you relive the experience remain focused upon Jesus who is with you. After
reliving the experience turn to Jesus and say, "Lord if you are willing you can make me
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clean". As Jesus reached out to the most rejected people of his time, the Samaritans,
the women and the lepers so he will reach out to you.
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Experience the compassion that flows from Jesus and hear his words as he says, "I am
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willing. Be clean". Watch as his hand reaches out and touches you. Claim in faith the
words of the gospel, "Immediately the pain left him and he was cured."
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As you recall the incident imagine Jesus taking the memory of your rejection off into
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Readings:
1 Kings 19;1 - 18
God reveals Himself in simple and unexpected ways. After the turbulence of the
preceding moments Elijah could easily have missed the gentle whisper of God's
Blessed are You when People Insult You, Persecute You and
revelation. Had he not been attentive, had he been overcome with fear or anger he may
have missed it. But Elijah remained still and this enabled him to hear the voice of God.
In the last days of his life - after and in the midst of great pain and suffering for both
him and his family - a friend's father was asked, "Where is God in all this?" Barely
God said that it is not good for us to be alone and in creating us placed within a need
able to speak, he summoned up all his strength and in a gentle whisper he said "Right
for the company and friendship of others. Consequently when we are excluded, when
here!"
we suffer from rejection or are insulted it can be painful and difficult because it
powerfully than at any other time in this man's life, even in his miraculous healing
conflicts with our God given desire to be in communion with others. Being excluded
from cancer many years before. He had reached the place of stillness where despite the
because of our relationship with Jesus does not make it any easier. Rejection arising
turmoil and pain all around he had learnt to listen for the gentle whisper of God in his
from a desire to share our experience of Jesus with others is even more painful as we
life. Like him we all need to learn to listen for the whisper of God in our lives,
are only seeking to share with others the treasure we have in Christ or because we are
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Meditation - Whisper
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The words of the psalmist encourage us to, "Be still before the Lord and wait
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patiently." (Ps 37:7) I invite you now to still yourselves before God. With Elijah enter
into the cave of darkness where you cannot see, where you cannot rely on your senses,
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you to those places of turmoil or pain or confusion in your life. The places where you
have difficulty seeing God at work. Trust in God as you are led. Again be still, seek
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only to hear the word of God in that moment. What is the Spirit saying to you? Listen
and respond....
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We must all seek to cultivate that place of stillness within us so that we can hear the
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Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely
The Beatitudes
say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is
your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were
It seems that when life is going well we have no difficulty in seeing God's hand at
before you.
work. But when we experience pain or difficulties there is a temptation to ask "Where
is God in all this?"
God does not always choose to put us in places where we are competent and in control.
At times we are placed where our weaknesses are exposed so that we will reach a point
of surrender for this is where we invite God to meet our need. As our needs are met
be comfortable. There is only one sure thing and that is wherever we are, whatever our
our weakness, our falleness, our pain then become God's gifts because they are not
circumstances, God is right there with us. Not watching from afar, or even close but
taken away, but we are transformed as we stand amongst our poverty, or pain or
removed, God is right there in amongst all the mess with us. God continually reaffirms
persecution. God can more abundantly bless us in areas where we are destitute. Our
poverty brings God's riches, our pain brings God's healing, our persecution brings
God's deliverance and joy.
As you listen to the beatitudes be aware of any spark of recognition within you. Do
you recognise yourself in there? Are you poor, hungry, at war? At what point is there a
groan within? Is there yearning to receive the particular blessing promised? These
promises will minister to your pain or your desires. As you reflect on the Beatitudes
listen for the prompting of the Spirit within.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those
who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the
earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of
God.
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AnthonyGDaltonMelbourneAustralia.Anthony_dalton@hotmail.com2015