Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-10)

you bless the poor, Loving God,
when we wish they would disappear
from our sight (and our communities!);

you comfort the grieving,
when we wish they would stop crying
and get on with their lives;

you fill those whose hunger
for your kingdom
will not be filled with platitudes
and whose thirst for justice
is not quenched
by the false promises of politicians;

you cradle the peacemakers in your lap,
when we would laugh at them
for their childlike naivete;

you would bless those
we curse for their idealism,
while you yearn
for the day
we will join their ranks.

Blessed are you,
God of the Different Way.

Amen.

(c) 2005 Thom M. Shuman