Reading Plan for Apr. 12 - 18

April 12, 2026 | Matthew 4:18-25
Reflection:
Today, we hear about the calling of the disciples. What do you notice? Did any of the disciples offer Jesus a resume? Did Jesus do an interview with each one to assess their fittedness for the role of “disciple”? Clearly, the answer is no. Jesus just calls, and they follow. They didn’t come to him; he chose them. That’s how the story goes. If we try to read around the story, we might add details like, “Surely, these guys had heard a few of Jesus’ sermons, or had seen Jesus heal someone.” We don’t know this. We only know that Jesus called and they answered. And very quickly, they are in the footsteps of someone who is about setting things right: curing the afflicted, setting free those who are oppressed, and those experiencing pain. And Jesus very quickly catches the attention of people from at least a 100-mile radius. Without any of our modern media, this is pretty remarkable. I remember being in first grade Sunday School, and we made a cut-out picture of Jesus inside our home, with the whole family gathered around. What I heard about Jesus that drew me to him was that he was loving and welcoming. What did you hear about Jesus before you ever read it in the Bible?

April 13, 2026 | Matthew 5:1-12
Reflection:
In this passage, often called “The Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus speaks of what it looks like to be “blessed.” The word “blessed” translates the Greek word makarios, which comes from the root makr-, which means “to enlarge.” This is where we get the prefix “macro-” in English, which tends to mean “big.” (Think of macro-economics.) Makarios means “happy, blessed, fortunate,” because one’s world has been enlarged, instead of having gotten “smaller.” One could think of Jesus speaking of abundant life as opposed to a diminished life. Jesus is not proclaiming a prosperity gospel. Read his words carefully and notice how each “blessing” looks very different from what the world has to offer in terms of wealth and status. Such blessedness is characterized by mercy and righteousness in light of the oppression and persecution the world has in store. What would it mean for you to “see God”? Whom would you take on this journey to see the God who sent Jesus to be healer and savior? How is your world “enlarged” by living as Jesus calls us to live? (Compare how Luke records these beatitudes: 6:20-23.)

April 14, 2026 | Matthew 5:13-20 
Reflection:
At first glance, Jesus’ admonition to live more righteously than the scribes and the Pharisees may seem pretty easy, right? Aren’t they often depicted as hypocritical and duplicitous? What if Jesus had said, “Live your lives more genuinely righteous than even the best intentions of the seemingly pious!”? What practices could you engage in to begin this journey of righteousness? Take time to consider how you could be “salt and light” in the world. Consider how your striving to be genuine must be imbued with love, that is, the genuine love of God, so that all your striving should not be in vain. Jesus came to fulfill the true essence of all of God’s instructional law-giving. As God sought to shape faithful people living in faithful community, too many sought to live by the "letter of the law” instead of the Spirit of the law. To be blessed (made large or great) in the kingdom, one must follow the commandment of Jesus: love one another as he has loved us. Only in this way will our faithfulness exceed all the seemingly righteous and pious in the world.

April 15, 2026 | Matthew 5:21-30
Reflection:
The neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor notes that it takes roughly 90 seconds for the initial emotion of anger to course through the body, peak, and fade. If it lasts longer, we have attached a belief or an old hurt to it. If it lasts longer, we are nurturing that anger with resentment, believing ourselves wronged. This is a modern interpretation of anger. Jesus, 2000 years ago, said that, if we prolong our anger and it grows out of control, we may certainly do harm to another that lasts eternally (to them and ourselves). Anger is a natural response, but consider constructive responses to genuine anger, instead of acting impulsively and causing enduring harm to others. Consider as well the way that Jesus calls us to act in committed relationships. Do not act impulsively or rashly toward others. Consider the internal motivation for breaking a covenant relationship. Jesus seems to be speaking hyperbolically here, doing greater physical harm to oneself in light of a “sin” committed. Instead of doing lasting harm to another, curb your impulses. Consider how genuine love could transform any of the scenarios Jesus names. How could you invite the living Christ to repair any rupture in relationships you’ve experienced or created? Maybe someone you’ve harmed or who has harmed you has passed away. Trust in God’s transforming power to forgive and heal what has long pained you.

April 16, 2026 | Matthew 5:31-42
Reflection:
It is fascinating to take note of the “laws” that Christian communities have enacted in light of Jesus’ teachings and which teachings they seem to have ignored. Divorce has been a taboo practice for centuries, up until the last 50 years. Think of all the chaos Henry the VIII created by divorcing his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The church turned a blind eye, however, to his multiple affairs with women. It didn’t seem to matter that monarchs committed adultery as long as they didn’t divorce the person whom they’d wed under the church's purview. Throughout this passage, and the whole Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is calling us to faithfulness: to God, to one another, to the community of the faithful, and to the neighbors we have all around us. How often did the church, historically, call monarchs out for not "turning the other cheek”? Not very often, if ever. How often has the church condemned church members for minor infractions, and yet not called them to a radical love that keeps people in genuine relationships and allows for the setting of healthy boundaries between people who have the potential to harm one another? We are all aware that sometimes relationships between people fail. We are called to do the most loving thing possible in the midst of those failures.

April 17, 2026 | Matthew 5:43-48
Reflection:
With today’s passage, we come to the culmination of what Jesus has been teaching the crowds: love one another. We get that part. But what about what Jesus says next: Love your enemies and pray for the ones who seek to do you harm. This is the true test for any Christian. Jesus says, “Even bad parents give good gifts to their kids.” So, what if you love only those who are lovable? Well, that’s a decent calling in life. The higher calling to which Jesus calls each of us is: love the unlovable. In this way, we approach this mysterious divine “perfection” Jesus talks about. (Consider who is the most unlovable person you can think of. How would you love and pray for them? We don’t have to love what they do, but we are called to love them. Jesus never said it was going to be easy.)

April 18, 2026 | Matthew 6:1-15 
Reflection:
“Practice giving charitably in such a way that it does not become something to puff oneself up over. And when you pray, do it simply. Here’s how.” Throughout this Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us patterns for living consciously and intentionally lovingly. Giving and praying are patterns for living. The prayer Jesus offers is to be said without pomp and circumstance. It’s meant to show our deep devotion to and dependence upon God. The prayer keeps us in relationship to God and to one another. You could call these patterns for living, giving, and praying, “kingdom living.” In God's upside-down kingdom, humility and love are the measures of our existence. In what ways could you conform all the patterns of your living to the way of Jesus? Start with praying simply, giving quietly, and forgiving often.