Worship at Home - November  

Matthew 5: 1-10
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began
to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled”.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy”.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account”.
 
Reflection

This is a month when our nation acknowledges all that has happened in past and current conflicts of the world. This is not solely acknowledged on the 11th day of the 11th month. These particular thoughts and prayers are with us daily as we witness the conflicts throughout the world.
 
Paul Jacobs served in Helmund province and threw himself on a fellow soldier when he was wounded. He was then wounded himself when injured by an IED  and was permanently blinded. He wrote a poem in 2014 in response:

You cannot turn back the hands of time
Life goes on like the desert breeze
That took these men from me 
Their spirits and souls flow back across the sea.
Back to blighty where the country will salute them
And where men who stood beside them
Will cry a tear
And never forget
Rest in peace
My brothers
 
When Jesus gave us the teaching of the sermon on the mount he wasn't
speaking of hypothetical situations. He knew we would mourn, struggle, seek justice and suffer. He knew all of it and how we would feel because he felt and feels them too. When he offers us the words of hope he reminds us “we cast our cares upon him” we do so  because “he cares for us.”  Blessed are you in your thoughts and your recollections.  Blessed are you in your hopes and dreams. Blessed are you in your ability to forgive and seek reconciliation. Blessed are you when you love without compromise.  Blessed are you.
 
Prayers 

Lord, we are saddened at the thought of war, of the soldiers who must fight and all those people who are killed. We remember their sacrifice with great sadness.

We also remember that they won for us a victory, that without their bravery these wars may have been lost, and our lives could have been so very different, without the freedom we so much enjoy.

We are saddened at the thought of your suffering, that you, too, had to be a great hero, and walk to Jerusalem, be arrested, tried and killed on that horrible cross.

We also remember that you won for us a victory, that on Easter morning you rose again, and helped us to overcome our human nature,
so that we might rise again with you.
Amen.
 
The Lord’s Prayer
 
Further Pondering

Remembrance Sunday provides individuals, organisations and the British nation as a whole with an opportunity to reflect on those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Originally this commemoration was to honour those who had fallen in the First World War. Over time it has come to include all those who have lost their lives in armed conflict and, once again, this is happening today. In this service, we remember all the victims and we think particularly of those who have lost their lives in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, war does not just result in death.

Today, young people who have served in the armed forces are recovering from horrendous injuries and facing tremendous need
adjustments in their lives as a result.

There are also those recollections of the past—of a different society with community at the heart of its existence.
Where have those days gone?
 
Hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross