02.17.19 “Blessed Are You...” Rev. Sarah Gomez-Lorraine

​“Blessed Are You...” Rev. Sarah Gomez-Lorraine

1st Scripture Reading:

Psalm 1

Happy are those who do not follow 
   the advice of the wicked, 
or take the path that sinners tread, 
   or sit in the seat of scoffers;

but their delight is
   in the law of God, 
and on God's law 
   they meditate day and night.

They are like trees 
   planted by streams of water, 
which yield their fruit in its season, 
   and their leaves do not wither. 
In all that they do, 
    they prosper.

The wicked are not so, 
   but are like chaff 
that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand 
   in the judgment, 
nor sinners in the congregation 
   of the righteous;
for God watches over the way 
   of the righteous, 
but the way of the wicked 
   will perish.

2nd Scripture Reading:

Luke 6:17-26

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

Then he looked up at his disciples and said: 
   "Blessed are you who are poor, 
       for yours is the kingdom of God. 
   "Blessed are you who are hungry now, 
       for you will be filled. 
   "Blessed are you who weep now, 
       for you will laugh.
    "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
    "But woe to you who are rich, 
       for you have received your consolation.
    "Woe to you who are full now, 
       for you will be hungry. 
    "Woe to you who are laughing now, 
       for you will mourn and weep.
    "Woe to you when all speak well of you, 
       for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets."