People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: KNOW IT! ~ 4th Sunday after Epiphany '26 RCL Yr A

For Sunday, February 1, 2026, Year A, Readings: Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15,

1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12

[God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? [Micah 6:8]

Lord, who...may dwell upon your holy hill? Whoever leads a blameless life...does what is right...speaks the truth from his heart...[with] no guile upon his tongue...does no evil to a friend ...does not heap contempt upon his neighbor...in his sight the wicked is rejected...honors those who fear the Lord...he has sworn to do no wrong...does not take back his word...does not give his money in hope of gain...does [not] take a bribe against the innocent... [Psalm 15]

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. [1 Corinthians 1:27-29]

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: "Blessed are..." [Matthew 5:1-12]

The Sermon on the Mount, is recorded in Matthew as the first public act of Jesus and we will follow this first sermon for the next several weeks. This week we hear the Beatitudes in concert with the words of the minor prophet Micah, the Psalmist, and Paul speaking to the church in Corinth, all giving an outline and direction in the ways in which to follow God as God wills and, from the Gospel, to become followers of Jesus more fully.

These Beatitudes, or state of blessedness, are qualities of life that describe what we are to actively work toward as we humbly submit ourselves to the will of Jesus. These eight Beatitudes are not describing eight different groups of people, but rather the states of being that we each will likely experience within our lives. Preparing for, recognizing, and in working through the difficult moments, as well as the easier ones, we are more able in the midst of stress and anxiety, through faith, even if a bit shaky, and prayer, to inhabit the attributes of true discipleship. They name our blessings and the corresponding reward for faithfulness as even difficulties in life are often blessings in disguise. Jesus lets us know we are blessed in the first part of his sermon so that we are uplifted. As his teachings continue, we are to know that we will be enfolded and sustained by these blessings whenever life turns difficult as long as we are doing all we can to live into the spirit of these states of being. Yet a part of this lesson may be overlooked. However difficult in the moments in our own times of discomfort, distress, and even despair, it is through all of life's experiences that we can learn more about ourselves and seek to discover opportunities to become a blessing to and for others.

As I ponder all the readings for this week, I want to experience the message of God, the words of the minor prophet Micah, the Psalmist, Paul, and Jesus and actively improve the areas in my life that need some remedial work in serving the cause of justice, in giving and receiving kindness, and attending to my own humility. I must work harder in letting go of my judgment of others, recognizing my own weaknesses, and become more constructive in peace-making individually and collectively. Among all the other ideals listed, these are what stand out for me to do. What stands out for you?

As a personal aside, being raised Roman Catholic and enrolled in Catholic school for 8 years +4 years of further weekly instruction during high school, it always feels a bit ironic to realize that the very first bible verse I ever knew by heart, and understood inside and out, was the piece from Micah, worded slightly differently as Do Justly, Love Kindly, Walk Humbly With Thy God. When I was about 7 or 8, my Irish/French heritage Catholic grandmother had a job as a secretary to a Rabbi at a local synagogue. I would visit her there at times in my school uniform and would always be greeted by Rabbi Drooz, whom I called “Father” because, well, it seemed right. He was so very kind to me. The Micah piece was and is still inscribed in stone across the front of the Synagogue and it has stayed with me always, and I look at it fondly whenever I pass by and it reminds me to Do Justly...

The instructions we are given in these readings are quite simple at first glance. Do this, do that, and all will be well except that these directions seem to be more about being than doing, attitude more than activity yet all are necessary. Salvation would be so easy to attain if only it wasn’t so simply difficult to tear ourselves away from the easy path of self-comfort. A lingering question remains for me to remember, “when in my life have I found myself among the following”:

Don’t just read through the words and drive by, hear them, remember them, inscribe them on your heart and in your soul. Find yourself in each of those moments. Understand that all these words are about you as well as everyone God created. Keep a copy with you and read it regularly. These are the life blessings that Jesus, our Christ, wants us to feel, to live in and with, and to act on. THIS is the Sermon beyond all sermons so KNOW IT!

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O God on High, Source of All Life, refine and purify our hearts that we may recognize our blessings, choose to be and do with our lives as Jesus taught us, and walk with You as the embodiment of blessings for all Your people who live in hunger, sickness, fear, injustice, grief, and hopelessness.

Lord of Hope and Joy