High King of Heaven, who rules over all nature, teach us your ways, and give us hearts that understand the values of your kingdom, that when you upend this world, we would not be surprised or dismayed but would see the justice and rightness of your ways and praise you for your goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of those who were poor but made rich through you and the Holy Spirit. Amen. ‘Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.”‘ – Luke 6:20-26
Matthew R Green
PhD