Blessed Are You

Never in our lives have we needed the Beatitudes of Jesus more than now. Malevolent anxiety and depression lie like a pall over our country and world. We see desperation, hate, conspiracies, and distrust everywhere we look. Jesus spoke to His people who were so much like us. They felt hopeless and helpless. Hopeless and helpless— words that find a home in many hearts today. Jesus looked at His people with compassion and said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

Blessed are we who are bone weary from repairs, uncertainty, hopelessness, and the feeling that this time of insecurity and a lack of services will never end. 

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

*Blessed are they who mourn,

Blessed are the 100s of thousands of our brothers and sisters worldwide who have lost family and friends to violence. For those who have lost their loved ones due to senseless anger and hate. For those who carry the weight of knowing their beloved died alone and those who died unloved and unwanted.  

for they will be comforted.

*Blessed are the meek,

Blessed are our brothers and sisters who fear for their children. Those who have lost their livelihood and know only lack. Those for whom abundance is a distant dream.

for they will inherit the land.

*Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

Blessed are we when we strive for justice for all. Blessed are we when we can look beyond labels — beyond brown, white, black, blue, gay, straight, unborn, imprisoned, and say with conviction all lives are God’s and God’s alone.

for they will be satisfied.

*Blessed are the merciful,

Blessed are we when we forgive— when we allow the forgiveness of God to echo to our broken world through our words and actions. Blessed are we when we live in grace, knowing God is the only judge. 

for they will be shown mercy.

*Blessed are the clean of heart,

Blessed are we when we place our trust in God and our hand to the plow of building His Kingdom on earth.

for they will see God.

*Blessed are the peacemakers,

Blessed are those who stand on the front line to make things better: First responders, firefighters, medical personnel, teachers, and counselors. And all those who witness love and care for others through their words and actions.

for they will be called children of God.

*Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

Blessed are those who stand in the face of injustice and remind us who we are and whose we are. Blessed are those who will not remain silent but speak of God even when their words are met with anger and hostility.

for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

Blessed, are you! Blessed, are you! Blessed, are you!

We have never needed the beatitudes more than now.

In God’s Unending Love,

Gwen