Blessed

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:1-12

Being blessed and feeling blessed are often two very different things. Jesus went up on the mountain to emphasize the importance of what he was saying. There's no mistaking that the wealthy and the powerful are nowhere in the list of the blessed but rather, the poor in spirit, those in mourning, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers and the persecuted. Jesus promises multitudes of blessings to those who are overlooked, despised and rejected. These days, many people are the targets of misguided wealthy leadership who demonize them. Yet in the midst of all of this, we can remember and hold fast to the sacred blessings which the world cannot have nor take away.

Loving Creator, you bless us each new day

with sunlight and the songs of the birds

you lean in close to the suffering and afraid

and gather us gently into your loving arms.

Many feel overwhelmed and disenfranchised

sidelined, despised, brokenhearted and weary

many feel useless, overwhelmed and alone

yet you are bringing blessing to u all.

Help us to prepare our hearts for your blessings

being merciful and thirsting after your peace

so we might shower blessings on the hurting

and be living sanctuary in our world today. Amen.