Choose Joyنموونە

DAY 17 – BLESSED ARE YOU

Reflection: Early in his public ministry, Jesus preached a foundational message to a multitude of people in the countryside. He has just called his first disciples and has also healed many people across the region.

Looking at his disciples, rather than the crowd, he explains where blessing (happiness, joy) can be found – with those who are poor, hungry, and weeping. It sounds so counter-intuitive; surely blessing is for those who have plenty of everything and who can smile at the world?

It gets even worse in the fourth ‘blessing’ or ‘beatitude’. It’s for those who are hated, excluded, insulted, and rejected ‘because of the Son of Man’. Jesus is gazing into the faces of his disciples, asking them to suffer for him while finding a joy that transcends this life.

He pauses to reinforce this particular ‘blessing’, explaining that it is the way of joy. ‘Rejoice in that day and leap for joy …’ Jesus explains that the great reward of life is not to be loved, invited, praised, and included, but to be identified with Jesus. Our joy can withstand whatever the world throws at us, because it’s his joy too. Because it’s linked to Christlike living now and a great heavenly reward in the future.

Choose joy: Thank God for calling and teaching you. Thank God for miracles and healing. Thank God that we can be identified with him in the world and in heaven.