From the Pastor

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who are depressed.
Blessed are you who haven’t felt God’s presence in a long, long time.
Blessed are you who live with anxiety that won’t be quiet.
Blessed are you who don’t believe in God’s deep love for you.
Blessed are you who can’t shut off the tapes or voices that tell you that you aren’t good enough.
Blessed are you who don’t believe you are smart enough or articulate enough or quick enough.
Blessed are you who never heard a parent tell you that they love you.
Blessed are you who still carry scars from childhood – physical, emotional, or spiritual
Blessed are you who struggle to believe that God has a plan for you
Blessed are you who don’t feel much hope for the future
Blessed are you who aren’t sure things are going to get much better
Blessed are you who don’t know what or how to pray
Blessed are you who were told that you are too fat, or too ugly, or not good enough.
Blessed are you who can’t muster up the strength for another day.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are you who drove hours to be at the bedside of a dying friend.
Blessed are you who sat with your dying mother.
Blessed are you who watched your father’s last breath.
Blessed are you who held the hand of your spouse as they died.
Blessed are you who know the pain of child who has died.
Blessed are you who have grieved the loss of relationships, even though death has not occurred
Blessed are you who miss that what once was, and can never be again
Blessed are you who feel that loss deep in your soul, unknown to others.
 
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are you who is known as the quiet one
Blessed are you who doesn’t have much to say
Blessed are you who don’t seek for power or status
Blessed are you who don’t ask for responsibility, but find it anyway
Blessed are you who aren’t in it for the fame or the glory or the accolades
Blessed are you who have been patient for years, quietly waiting
Blessed are you who have suffered for far too long, and wonder when the end will come
Blessed are you who offer your quiet ‘yes’ to God

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are you who march in the streets
Blessed are you who write letters to your representatives
Blessed are you who called out Uncle Joe on his hateful speech this past Christmas
Blessed are you who call us to be better, even when we don’t like it
Blessed are you who loves your neighbor
Blessed are you who question why things are the way they are
Blessed are you who receive government benefits
Blessed are you who can’t sleep at night with the violence in our world
Blessed are you who push for the long, slow work of justice
Blessed are you who long for something more than what this world will give
Blessed are you who won’t settle for greed as the way things have to be
Blessed are you who are willing to divest of your privilege to seek equity
Blessed are you who won’t just settle for a hush payment

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are you who extend forgiveness
Blessed are you who help others
Blessed are you who cross socioeconomic barrier to show love
Blessed are you who build a bigger table
Blessed are you who are kind
Blessed are you who compliment others behind their backs
Blessed are you choose gentleness instead of a fight
Blessed are you who don’t need the last word
Blessed are you who extend a hand of welcome
Blessed are you who choose inclusion over exclusion

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are you who actually love others
Blessed are you who see a world of potential friends instead of probable enemies
Blessed are you who smile when you see a stranger
Blessed are you who pray for others, even if you don’t know them
Blessed are you who earnestly seek God’s path, even if you mess up
Blessed are you who are simple
Blessed are you who love Jesus
Blessed are you who hate the hate you see in yourselves

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are you who don’t understand war
Blessed are you who would rather know somebody’s gifts, not their failures
Blessed are you who seek common ground
Blessed are you who diffuse, not escalate the situation
Blessed are you who offer a pat on the back, not a stab in the back
Blessed are you who seek to build a coalition, not an army
Blessed are you who seek to ground us in the diversity of our oneness, not in our division

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you who are misunderstood
Blessed are you who struggle to communicate what you mean
Blessed are you who feel a little different than the others
Blessed are you who are just a little weird
Blessed are you who have taken the blame for something you didn’t do
Blessed are you who are falsely accused
Blessed are you who are here at church instead of at brunch
Blessed are you who are scared to live into your true, authentic self
 
Blessed are you, dear church.
Blessed are you, whoever you are.
Blessed are you, whatever you bring.
Blessed are you, whatever you carry.
Blessed are you, questions, complexities, and all.
Blessed are you, dear church.

By the power of the cross and resurrection, blessed are you.

Amen.