He Opened His Mouth (Matthew 5:2)

 


Tuesday, 16 September, 2025


Psalm 38

1 Kings 10:14-29

Matthew 4:23-5:12


Observance: Ninian of Galloway, bishop and missionary (d. c. 432)


He Opened His Mouth (Matthew 5:2)


And he opened his mouth and taught them.


I wonder how many times you have gone over the Beatitudes – Jesus’ list of those who are blessed. And I wonder if it still gets to you every time that you do. It’s placement in St Matthew’s Gospel gives it a special sense of importance: the only other things Jesus has said so far are his rebuttal to Satan and his calling of St Peter. The narrative, having the anticipation built, moves up to this point: Jesus sat down, and opened his mouth, and taught them.


If it were an American TV show, the moment would be artificially extended. We would hear tacky music designed to get the heart racing. The camera would jump between people’s faces, showing various expressions as the tension builds. Finally, the music stops, and all eyes are on Jesus. This is the Holy One of God, announced by angels, miraculously born of the Blessed Virgin, worshipped by John the Baptist, and the first man to ever successfully tell the Devil to shove off. He opens his mouth, and begins to teach.


What is the attitude of your heart towards the teachings of Jesus? How open are you to them, not because of what he says, but who he is that is saying them?


Christ our Great Teacher: give us such hearts as do love you in wonder in praise, that we may always follow what you say because of who you are.

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