Disappearing Into the Right Words
- davidwperk
- Feb 24
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Monday, February 24, 2025
Monday of the Seventh Week after the Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
51When Jesus* saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. . . . . 10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary readings (BCP, 948)
AM Psalm106:1-18; PM Psalm106:19-48
Ruth 1:1-14; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Matthew 5:1-12
Today we celebrate the Feast of Matthias. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
Tom Andrews’s poem “At Burt Lake” reflects on the power of language. He begins with:
To disappear into the right words
and to be their meanings . . .+
I can feel myself disappearing into these right words of Jesus. We call today’s Gospel “The Beatitudes.” A counselor friend once called them the most therapeutic words in the Bible. Jesus begins with “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” He ends with “blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Perhaps each promised blessing in this remarkable string of promises constitutes an aspect of participating in God’s kingly rule—“inherit the earth,” “will be filled,” “receive mercy,” “see God,” “called children of God.”
What kind of God has a prophetic voice like Jesus speak such words? These verses brim with the urgent energy to bless. The God of heaven here appears eager to reverse the poverty, grieving, hungering, thirsting, and abusive treatment of people. When faith becomes sight and we live in the divine presence, all these blessings will be ours to the full.
However, Jesus speaks these words to a crowd of poor, dispossessed, hungering and thirsting people. These are not pie in the sky promises about life after death. Rather, the God who brims with the loving energy to bless seeks to reverse our plight now, seeks to overflow into our lives with gracious healing and blessing love now.
Mary Oliver, in her poem “Coming to God: First Days” says:
To enter the language of transformation!
To learn the importance of stillness,
with one’s hands folded!*
Can I sit and listen deeply to these words of blessing? Can I be still with folded hands and receive the energy of this speech? Can I embrace and receive the love of this God? These words have the power to create the realities they articulate. God blesses us with this speech. When I am feeling poor and powerless, God says I am ultimately rich. When I am feeling bereaved, God wipes away my tears and comforts me with these words. When I am feeling distressed about the brokenness of the world and want things put right, God says I will be filled with righteousness, with the assurance that the world will be put right. I can lean into that and find in that promise energy to strive for righteousness.
Today God’s urgent desire to bless can enfold me and transform me. Of all people to believe in, surely I can put my weight on Jesus’ words. It is mine to enter the language of transformation, to be still with folded hands. It is mine to disappear into the right words and to be their meanings.
+Tom Andrews, Random Symmetries: The Collected Poems of Tom Andrews (Oberlin College Press)
*Mary Oliver,Thirst (Boston: Beacon, 2006), p. 23.
Collect of the Day, Epiphany 7
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ , who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 236)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Matthias, the Apostle.
Collect of the Feast of Mathias, the Apostle
Almighty God, who in the place of Judas chose your faithful servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve: Grant that your Church, being delivered from false apostles, may always be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
Of the Departed
Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 253)
A Prayer for Light
Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 5:1-11
51When Jesus* saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely* on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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