Our Father Who Art in Heaven...
Here Jesus is standing on the top of the little mountain. He is telling everyone about the Kingdom of God. But what is that? Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The Kingdom of God means that we would make God's desires happen the way angels do!
Hail Mary full of grace...
Often in pictures of Jesus teaching there are only men nearby. But this picture has women very close to Jesus. In fact they seem to be paying much more attention to him than the men who are whispering and distracted. Every person is invited to help make God's dream for the world come true.
Hail Mary full of grace...
Jesus said, "The time has come and the rule of God is near; repent, and believe this good news." Jesus invites me to turn my life in the direction of making God's intentions real on earth. God's heart-changing nearness is good news for our world wherever it happens.
Hail Mary full of grace...
When Jesus goes up the mountain to announce God's rule he tells us that the way to follow that rule is to love people - especially the people who others don't love. Sometimes these people are far away and at other times they are nearby.
Hail Mary full of grace...
"Announce the good news to all of creation," Jesus teaches that the wonderful news of God's rule is to protect all life. There are monks who when walking in the woods place their feet carefully so they don't step on ferns just starting to appear in the spring.
Hail Mary full of grace...
Brother Christian was a monk who came from France to Algeria to live among Christians and Muslims who often have not lived together peacefully. He and six other monks shared their vegetables, money, medicine and gardening tools with Muslims and opened their home so Muslims would have a room to pray. Christian said, "Let us build the Kingdom of God through friendship, trust and good deeds."
Hail Mary full of grace...
When an enemy came into the monastery carrying guns and demanding to talk to the brother in charge, Christian came out and said, "I will only talk with you if we go outside the gate; there are no weapons allowed on this property." The Kingdom of God is peaceful.
Hail Mary full of grace...
Often people think that winning is the only thing that matters: winning the game, winning the contest, winning the big money. It's mean to hurt someone's feelings by calling him or her a loser. But the only way I'm a loser is if there is hate in my heart. In the Kingdom of God there is no room for hate.
Hail Mary full of grace...
The Kingdom of God announces justice. Justice means what is best for all people, not just for some. An awful lot has to change in this world to make that part of God's rule happen. Some people just can't see it. They're afraid it will mean sharing which will leave them uncomfortable.
Hail Mary full of grace...
In Japan there are monks who live on the top of a mountain. They never use chemicals to clean the kitchen or bathroom because they know that would ruin the water supply of the people who live at the bottom of the mountain. Setting up the Rule of God says think about other people when making decisions.
Hail Mary full of grace...
Glory be to the Father...
