CCSIS Cornerstone

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐖 5:1-12a📖

"When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven."”

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝙎𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙉 𝗢𝗙 𝙂𝙍𝘼𝘾𝙀! 🌟

“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived* a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”
— LUKE 1:26-38

Day 7 celebrates the moment when the Lord’s messenger, Angel Gabriel, announced to Mary that she had found favor with the Lord and would conceive a Son who would reign as King for eternity, for He is the Son of God. She was given a choice, and through her faithful and courageous “𝐘𝐄𝐒,” our Lord and Savior came into the world for our salvation.

Like Mary, may we find peace and security in our faithfulness to our Father. In moments of doubt and uncertainty, may we too humbly proclaim, “I am the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word,” fully surrendering our lives to the One who provides, secures, and sustains us.

May the Lord speak in our hearts!

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝙁𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝗢𝗙 𝙂𝙍𝘼𝘾𝙀! 🌟

“The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he to whom it belongs shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.”
— Genesis 49:10

Day 4 of Grace reflects on the prophecy of the coming of our King. In the Gospel of Matthew, specifically Matthew 1:1–17, we are shown the paternal lineage of Jesus through His earthly father, Joseph, revealing His descent from a line of kings. Unlike King David, Jesus was not crowned with gold or silver, but with thorns.

The coming of our Lord Jesus signifies the long-awaited promise of eternal salvation.