February 16, 2025
St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church
Submitted by Janet Knipfing-Schult, Chronicle Contributor
In Luke’s gospel (6: 17-26), Jesus delivers “The Sermon on the Plain.” It’s similar to “The Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew’s gospel, but there are significant differences. Instead of the eight Beatitudes enumerated in the “Mount” sermon, the “Plain” sermon articulates four “Blessed” categories and four “Woeful” groups. In his homily, Fr. Tom Schneider explained the “Plain” sermon is delivered to a multitude of people, not exclusively from the Jewish regions, but also Gentiles of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases or cured of unclean spirits. All tried to touch him, as God’s mercy is available to all. But Jesus’s lesson is primarily directed to his disciples. Fr. Tom wonders if it’s an invitation or a warning. We can view our Lord’s words as an invitation to take an active role in our participation in the Kingdom of God.
