One of my great joys in life is to read Scripture with people living on the street. Every week, at our two community dinners, I share a Christ story from the Gospels. Something special always happens when the words of Jesus are spoken. The public street liturgy that happens around a shared meal, on the sidewalk, and in a parking garage, embodies the love of Jesus in concrete and practical ways. The words of Jesus become incarnated and enfleshed in the lives of the people that have ears to hear them. Last month I read the Beatitudes, the blessing of Jesus to a room full of people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and severe freezing weather. When it’s 32 degrees outside and your homeless, hearing that Jesus blesses the poor, the humble, the meek, the hungry, the crying, and the grieving, makes hope a reality.  His words speak to you and your situation, declaring that the Kingdom of God belongs to you! As I began to read the Sermon on the Mount, the entire room went silent. A holy hush fell over us as we listened to the promises of Jesus. That we belong to him. That we will find comfort. That we will be treated with mercy and called his children. When I finished reading. I prayed and concluded like I do every time I pray for my friends living on the street. That everyone would be safe and warm and protected from hypothermia and frostbite. That no one would die outside. Life in the name of Jesus. When I finished, the entire room erupted with a hearty and unifying Amen!

Jesus’ disciples gathered around him, and he taught them:

 God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom
    of heaven!
God blesses those people
who grieve.
    They will find comfort!
God blesses those people
    who are humble.
The earth will belong
    to them!
God blesses those people
who want to obey him
    more than to eat or drink.
They will be given
    what they want!
God blesses those people
    who are merciful.
They will be treated
    with mercy!
God blesses those people
whose hearts are pure.
    They will see him!
God blesses those people
    who make peace.
They will be called
    his children!
God blesses 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.

Michael Cox