Reading I: 1 Kings 17: 1-6 "Elijah serve the Lord, the God of Israel."
Psalm 121: 1-2.3-4.5-6.7-8
Refren: Only you are God my God and hope for my life.
* I lift up my eyes to the mountains; whence will come help me? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
* He will not allow your foot to slip, will not slumber. Really, would not sleep and would not sleep that keepeth Israel.
* Lord your guardian, the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
* The Lord will keep you from all harm; He shall preserve thy soul. God will keep out incomings and now until forever.
Gospel: Matthew 5: 1-12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit."
5: 1 One day Jesus went up the mountain, for the crowd. After he sat down, his disciples came unto Him. 5: 2 And he began to speak and convey these teachings to them, 5: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5: 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5: 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 5: 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 5: 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 5: 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 5: 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 5:11 Blessed are ye, when as I was criticized and persecuted you, and shall say all manner of evil. 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for the prophets before you were persecuted. "
reflection
"In the morning and evening ravens brought him bread and meat, and he drank from the brook." 1 Kings 17: 6
The name 'Elijah' means 'God is my God.' It is really significant in the life of Elijah, in which God is able to maintain his life in an extraordinary way, and Elijah also has a full ketaan to the Lord his God. About the life of Elijah, the Bible states that "Elijah was a man just like us, and he earnestly pray that not rain, and the rain did not rain on the land for three years and six months. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. "(James 5: 17-18).
Elijah faced a difficult situation in his day. Moral and spiritual condition of the nation declined and really dilapidated: from kings, priests to keep alive the people and idolatry. This is because Ahab, king, accepted evil in the sight of God "... more than all who were before him" (1 Kings 16:30), under the influence of his wife, Jezebel, princess of Sidon, a pagan, "... so it goes served Baal and worshiped him. "(1 Kings 16:31). Elijah was able to keep faith, stay alive in truth, faithfully served the Lord and do not compromise the moral depravity of his people; he lived like a fish swimming against the current, not washed away. Elijah was not afraid of the political forces at the time, still dare to live with faith in God despite the risk of losing the convenience and threatened his life.
Elia courage is not foolish or desperate, but the fruit of faith in the Lord his God is living and powerful, because he knew that he worshiped God clearly outweigh the god Baal Ahab and Jezebel. This is evident when drought and famine hit the country, Elai not lack, it will live by faith because God's miraculous preservation. "" You can drink from the brook, and the ravens I have commanded to feed thee there. ' Then he went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith on the east side of the Jordan. "(1 Kings 17: 4-5).
Because loyalty and obedience to the word of God, Elijah never lacking even in the middle of drought and famine.
Psalms, God help comes.
In a world full of challenges and threats, we need real help. The psalmist well aware of the hopelessness of themselves and others. He tried directing his gaze to the mountains, but even there he did not see a glimmer of hope. Finally, the psalmist recognizes and states unequivocally that "my help is from the Lord". Is the Almighty Creator and Guardian that never slept. Often we seek the things that seem to be able to help, but in the end we have to admit that there was no help other than in God, guarantor of our lives.
God my guardian. In case of danger, urgently needed care strictly. It is felt all around us that today many of insecurity and discomfort. Within our homes, may apply siskamling schedule to keep. It must be admitted that no one was able precautions throughout the day without a break. We tried to have a shelter that is always alert, the Guardian of Israel, our God. It is not only able to survive the danger, but actively protect his people. There are no other guards who stay awake like him.
Gospel today, Who am I?
At the end of this year, let us try introspective. If until now we still be alive and healthy, it is clear that the award and His love for us. In the ministry of Jesus, not everyone who has received His help will be students or disciples. Followers of God have a clear feature because it makes high demands and the need to transform the lives of people who respond to Him.
New life pattern. God wants His followers happy. That's for sure! But happiness is linked to the quality of people, not what he has. Happiness begins repentance, that the act of turning away from life, customs, and culture of others. Awareness of how poor we are in the presence of God, became the starting point of the next discipleship process, which goes still need to tread. The closer he gets us like Him and His attributes. Gentle rather than harsh, hungry and thirsty for truth instead of impurity, not generous or miserly greed, pure of heart, the peacemaker. That's the way to be happy, full road pricing demands, but also a way of life entirely in God's creation.
Let's ask ourselves honestly: Is that really the source of happiness? Wealth worldly possessions? Friendship humane? Position and worldly power? Social status and occupation? All forms of property or other material?
If we do not lead an honest answer to the things that are upon the earth, we can be thankful because we realize that it is true, the root and source of our happiness lies not in the things that are upon the earth. There are other sources of happiness that can be proud of us, and he has shown it to us!
Our happiness is because we rely on God, the source of our spiritual wealth. Our happiness is the consolation of his when we grieve. Our happiness is gentleness that emanate from us. Our happiness is when we are hungry and thirsty for truth. Our happiness is our generosity to others. Our happiness is the purity of our hearts. Our happiness is peace because we are children of God, even when it had to face persecution, reproach, and censure. Dare we chose this as the root of all our happiness?
O Jesus, may I prefer happiness promised by the Beatitudes your world of happiness that was promised to me. Amen.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, the saints in heaven to see the glory and the reward or "reward" they received for follow-Mu. Fill me with hope in your promise of eternal life. Hopefully I will be able to take part in the joy of the sanctuary in heaven. Blessed be thy name, O Lord Jesus, now and forever. Amen.
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