Hungry to be a friend of God
December 29th, 2024 – Communion Meditation
Today we are reflecting on what are known as the Beatitudes, blessings recounted by Jesus as part of his Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5:3-10 (NRSV) –
“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 receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The first word in each of these eight statements is the Greek word makarios, which is often translated as blessed or happy. Jesus speaks here to one of the deepest longings in every human heart: we all want to be happy.
Jesus also speaks to the reality that not everything will make us happy! Jesus points us to desire, to choose, and to pursue humility, lamentation, compassion, integrity, peacemaking, justice, and God’s gift of righteousness. These intentional desires, choices, and pursuits are crucial. We each know all too well that, left to themselves, our appetites will not lead us in good directions in our lives.
In the beatitudes, Jesus urges us to desire, to choose, and to pursue that which is important to God. Jesus said in John 15:14 that we are his friends if we follow his commandments, which is to walk the way of love; to love God and to love others as well as we love ourselves. In essence, Jesus urges us to desire, to choose, and to pursue friendship with God above all other desires, choices, and pursuits. In desiring, choosing, and pursuing the way of love, may we be hungry to be a friend of God.
Let’s pray.
Sweet Jesus, Body and Blood most Holy, be the delight and pleasure of my soul, my strength and salvation in all temptations, my joy and peace in every trial, my light and guide in every word and deed, and my final protector in death. Amen.
At the Last Supper, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to those with him and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Let us eat together.
Jesus then took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Let us drink together.
