Matthew 5:1-12

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: "Happy are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be filled. Happy are the merciful, for mercy will be shown to them."

These teachings attributed to Jesus are known as the "beatitudes," the Latin word for "blessings," which is the traditional English translation for the Greek verb that begins each verse. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus ascends a mountain and instructs his disciples in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. For the author of the gospel of Matthew, Jesus is the new Moses who interprets the law of God.

In the gospel of Luke, Jesus comes down from the hills with his disciples to speak with people from both Gentile and Jewish cities. For the author of the gospel of Luke, the Sermon on a Plain portrays Jesus not as a new Moses, who is reforming Jewish law, but as a teacher and healer whose authority and power is recognized by Gentiles as well as Jews.

The parallel beatitude in the gospel of Luke is: "Happy are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied." (Lk. 6:21) In the gospel of Luke, Jesus promises the people that their hunger will be satisfied. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus promises those who hunger for justice that there will be justice and that those who show mercy will receive mercy. The meanings in the two gospel accounts are not the same, but each promises that God's intervention in history will bring an end to injustice and hunger. These words have inspired Christians throughout the centuries to struggle both for greater justice and to relieve the suffering of those who are poor.

Grace and peace...Bob