Matthew 5-6-7
In St. Matthew’s gospel, the Sermon on the Mount begins with this simple introduction: “Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.” The list of lessons, stories, and words of wisdom Jesus shared that day is quite long:
The Beatitudes. Mt 5:3-12 Blessed are the poor in spirit…
You are the salt of the earth. Mt 5:13
Leave your gift there before the altar and go… be reconciled to your brother. Mt 5:24
If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other. Mt 5:39
Love your enemies. Mt 5:44
Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. Mt 5:48
When you pray, go into your room and shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. Mt 6:6
The Lord’s Prayer. Mt 6:9-15 Our Father who art in heaven…
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Mt 6:21
No one can serve two masters. Mt 6:24
Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink. Mt 6:25
Seek first his kingdom … and all these things shall be yours as well. Mt 6:33
Judge not, that you be not judged. Mt 7:1
Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened for you. Mt 7:7
The Golden Rule. Mt 7:12 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Enter by the narrow gate. Mt 7:13
You will know them by their fruits. Mt 7:16
Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. Mt 7:24-25
“When Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority.” Mt 7: 28-29
It is no wonder the people were amazed. Blessed are the poor? Love your enemy? Be perfect? In one afternoon, sitting on a hillside beside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus revealed to a large crowd the essence of the Good News. In one sermon He opened His heart to those eager listeners and turned their world upside down. Centuries have passed since Christ gathered the people together on that hillside and taught them the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. But this is more than a history lesson, and the Sermon on the Mount is more than a remembrance from the dusty past. Christ’s Word is Alive! When we read the Gospels, Jesus still speaks to His people with the same wisdom and authority that amazed His earliest disciples. This week, spend a sunny afternoon at the feet of Jesus. Re-read the Sermon on the Mount, and let His message turn your world upside down.
KEEP READING
- Matthew 5:1-48
- Matthew 6:1-34
- Matthew 7:1-29
- “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GswGE6rQhmE
So much wisdom in one sermon!
[…] gospel reading is Matthew 7:24-28. These are the closing verses of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) which contains an amazing number of familiar lessons, including the Beatitudes, the […]