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I have often met people who admire Jesus’ teaching in what we call the Sermon on the Mount. Many have said ‘If only people lived like that, the world would be a better place.’ And they’re absolutely right! It would be. Much better. Few would disagree with that.
The problem is that our innate human selfishness and greed and self-centredness get in the way. Only as we learn to be God-centred and God-focussed do we have any chance or hope of getting things right; but we’ll still make mistakes, and God specialises in forgiveness. It’s a learning process that never ends. It’s lifelong.
The first part of that Sermon on the Mount is called by theologians ‘The Beatitudes’. That name comes from the Latin word for ‘happy’ - Beatus. We can also use the word ‘blessed’ for this state. This is what Jesus says in The Beatitudes (which, it’s been said, are the only useful ‘attitudes’ for Life):
“How blessed are those people who depend only on God. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!
How blessed are those people who grieve. They will find comfort!
How blessed are those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!
How blessed are those people who want to obey God more than even to eat or drink. They will be given what they want!
How blessed are those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy!
How blessed are those people whose hearts are pure. They will see God!
How blessed are those people who make peace. They will be called God’s children!
How blessed are those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven. God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.”
My prayer for us as the people who at St. Matthias’ Church seek to serve God, and for all who may read this page on our website, is quite simple: May you be blessed in 2010.
And that blessing will come from living God’s way. There’s no other which fulfils our human aspirations. Come and join us any Sunday at 1030 to find out more.

Yours very sincerely,
Martin Oram