​     In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we hear this word repeated nine times.  Here in Matthew 5, Jesus begins His sermon on the mount, and we call these opening words, “The Beatitudes”, meaning “declarations of blessedness”.
      The word “blessed” means more than “happy”.  Happiness is an emotion often dependent on outward circumstances.  Whereas blessed is a well-being and joy that is based on the grace and love that God has for us.  And God’s grace and love comes to us, not because we deserve it or have done anything to earn it.  Rather, it is in the nature and actions of God that brings us into a state of blessedness.  And this is most evident in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our salvation.
     And so we are blessed no matter what the outward circumstances are in our lives or world.  Jesus describes those who are blessed in a variety of ways, from people who are poor in spirit and who mourn, to those who are merciful, pure in heart, to those who are persecuted.  Yet in each and every one of these circumstances, you are blessed!
    As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39, “neither death nor life, neither angel nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
    I may not know what you are experiencing in your life today, whether it is grief, anxieties, trials, or having a wonderful day.  But this I know:  you are blessed!  Through the grace and love that God in Christ has for each and every one of you!

     These words of Scripture are referring to the new life we have in Christ, given to us through the life, death and resurrection of our Savior and Lord.  And in Baptism we receive this gift and can be daily renewed in the new life we have in Christ.
 
     I would like to point out a couple of parts of this “new life in Christ” that we have happening at Resurrection Church.  
 

1.  Tom, our Council President, has been bringing to the Council a book that we are discussing, entitled, “Leading Faithful Innovation” by Zscheile, Binder, Pinkstaff.  In the upcoming months,I look forward to discussion and actions on the new ideas given in this book, focusing on listening to God and one another, and sharing our stories of how God is at work in and among us.  Look for more information coming in the upcoming weeks!
2. The Mission Exploration Team (MET) is having their first meeting this week!  Seven members, plus Tom and I as advisory, will be meeting to work on the transition that Resurrection is experiencing.  And a lot of “new life” is going to be happening, as we look at new directions for the congregation, and eventually with a new pastor.  The team needs to decide on how they will proceed, and what they need to do.  As this happens, we will be sharing this with you.  Please pray for this important work of the MET.

     
    Of course, the new life spoken of in Scripture is more than just what we as a congregation experience.  We each have personal experiences of all that God in Christ brings to us.  So may we live as the Psalmist declares,
 
This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!  (Psalm 118:24)