Grace and peace to you from Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

What did you feel when you heard the words of Luke’s gospel this morning? 

At first glance it appears that this sounds really familiar to something you’ve probably heard before, ‘the beatitudes.’ 

I like to remember them as having the right attitude. 

The beatitudes are Jesus’ radical proclamation to establish heaven on earth. We hear these words from both Matthew and Luke’s gospel. 

Although Matthew has Jesus' Sermon from the Mount, Luke takes us to Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain. 

There truly have been times when I have felt heaven on earth. 

In all of our readings this morning we are given the words of eternal life, Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” 

I wonder how many times in your life you have felt conflicted, wondering what your relationship is between blessing and curse? 

Too often we frame our thinking into a pattern of either we do this or we do that, and then we enjoy or suffer the consequences. 

Within this framework we are prone to wear ourselves out with guilt and shame when it feels that we can never measure up, or we have done something wrong. 

In First Corinthians Paul puts the reality right before us, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” 

Yet as human beings I constantly see and catch myself living in vain. Vanity to look younger, live longer, and be better than my neighbor.

When has competition ever celebrated the one who lost? 

Have you seen what happens when you choose wealth and self satisfaction over the common good of all. 

As Christians we have been given a blessing, to be a blessing. A gift so powerful that God invites us into a relationship. 

It is our faith and trust in God that opens this relationship of love. God who loves us just as we are and wants us all to love one another. Loving one another, just as God loved us through his only son Jesus Christ. 

Jesus, who comes down from heaven, down from the mountain, and into our lives on the plain, in a level place. 

Jesus, who in Luke’s gospel, talks directly to us, not down to us. 

Luke is known for writing for the common person, the marginalized; widow, orphan, and stranger. 

Just take a look at the crowd before Jesus; his disciples, a great multitude from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 

Jews, Gentiles, and people from all walks of life come out to see and hear Jesus. 

In a relationship of trust they come to be healed of their diseases, and cured of unclean spirits. 

We are even told that, “all in the crowds were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.” 

Nothing is held back by Jesus.

Haven’t we all been there, just like the people listening to Jesus in the gospel, maybe even feeling that way this morning? 

People who had no hope, they had tried everything, and perhaps had given up, until they heard about Jesus. 

Jesus is with you. 

When you have nothing left, are alone, and nowhere to go you can give up hope. 

And even in that empty, lonely place, as dark as it may be, the light of Christ still shines there, seeking you out. 

God knows us and our hearts. 

We don’t suffer alone, God is with us. 

Paul reassures us, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.” 

When Jesus looks up at his disciples he knows who he is talking to and who will listen. 

This is our relationship with Jesus, talking to us, joining his life with ours. “Blessed are you who are poor, who are hungry, and who weep now.” Have you ever been one of those people, perhaps you know someone like that. Those are the other and sometimes even ourselves, so we love one another. 

“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.” 

Where do you see those people that Jesus so clearly speaks to? Yourself, your family, immigrants, transgender, white supremists?

Jesus seeks out an authentic and trusted relationship based on unconditional love. 

You are loved no matter what, no matter what you do, and know matter what you say. 

Love blossoms in a relationship with Jesus who loves the other completely. Blessing is that relationship with Jesus that we are blessed to be a blessing. Christ is in us and we are in Christ, an unbreakable bond. 

I encourage you to embrace a blessed relationship with Christ. Beginning with Jesus we have a firm foundation that is cause for celebration. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven.” That day is today, tomorrow, and the next day. 

What are you waiting for to answer that invitation for relation? Are you seeking something that you don’t already have? 

I am blessed that God has called me here and called you here. 

A place where the natural beauty is as strong has the heritage of the people who came here for a new start, for an opportunity to feel whole. 

A place where neighbor helps neighbor and looks out for others. 

A place that is aware that there are differences that prevent some from being filled, laughing, and feeling welcome. 

Jesus comes to us offering welcome in heaven that begins here on earth.

We are welcome to care for each other, this world, and all of those who have gone before us. 

Washing away vanity, feelings of doubt, inadequacy, and hate. Where we are born anew, into a new creation of love and loving kindness. 

When Jesus looks up into the faces of the people it is an invitation to look Jesus in the eye and see our own reflection in him. 

A blessed loving relationship. 

For this loving relationship we can say, 

Thanks be to God, AMEN