In this episode, we discuss the readings for the fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A in the Lectionary cycle: Matthew 5:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Psalm 15; Micah 6:1-8.
We consider the Beatitudes as a component of Jesus' announcement of His kingdom as He teaches His disciples about Himself as revealed in the ministry they have just witnessed. We discuss Paul's teaching on the way God's wisdom offers the grace of humility and an invitation to stop striving for prominence. We look at the NET's study notes in Psalm 15 and mark the prominence of love for neighbor as ab actionable character quality for those who draw near to God. We conclude with the Micah's prophetic pronunciation against the way the kingdom of Israel at that time explicitly distorted God's character as a contrast to the invitation of the Beatitudes.
Notes:
The Bible Project
--Bible Project's overview of Matthew
--Bible Project's overview of 1 Corinthians
--Bible Project's overview of Micah
--Metrical Collect for the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany
--Learn more about the NET Bible
--Quote from Inn of the Sixth Happiness re: Gladys Aylward: "She walks through a world full of evil and sees only children, and not complicated or cruel, just untidy ones who need to be washed and fed and loved."
4:04 Collect
5:52 Matthew 5:1-12
25:40 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
38:26 Psalm 15
48:50 Micah 6:1-8
Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.