Sunday Gospel Warm-up
January 26, 2023
A New Covenant
Jan. 29 Mat 5:1-12
We have the gospel reading of the Beatitudes this weekend. This passage of Jesus’ teaching on the mountain top is an echo of Moses receiving the ten commandments. Matthew describes a Moses-like event where Jesus defines a new covenant, a new relationship with God. What is being offered is not commandments, but what would probably best be described as spiritual virtues. We must reject power, prestige, and possessions and become what pleases God – loving, humble, and compassionate. What makes us children of God is not rigid obedience to all the rules, but the quality of love we have in our hearts.