Twice a year, I find myself seated in the dentist’s chair, the bright lights shining down as he performs his examination. After his assessment, he gives me a treatment plan—-a roadmap for my dental health. It typically includes any procedures he recommends, and he outlines my responsibilities for self care. 

In today’s scripture, we see Jesus doing something similar. He looks at the community with compassion and insight, offering them a treatment plan for truly flourishing lives. As we look deeper into these two sentences from the Beatitudes in his Sermon on the Mount, we find further insights about mercy and purity—-two essential elements at the core of our faith. These verses shine a light on the deep connection between how we treat others and our own spiritual transformation. 

This Sunday, we'll explore what mercy and purity meant in the original context of Jesus' words and how they resonate today. We’ll reflect on our role in engaging with Jesus’ treatment plan for the health and well-being of others, recognizing how our actions serve our own spiritual journeys.

We are all in need of extending and receiving mercy. The only path to achieving this is by tending to our spiritual pathway. Join us this Sunday for "Lessons from the Mountain Top: A Treatment Plan for Life," where we will uncover the blessings that await us when we embrace mercy and purity.