MAKE ME A LIVING BLESSING

“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 . . .”
Matthew 5:1-2

I first spoke this version of Jesus’ Beatitudes to the crowd gathered for the Women’s
March in St. Paul, Minnesota. May this blessing remind you today of your original
belovedness, your original blessing from the God of justice and love:

Blessed are those who resist.
Blessed are the women, cis- and transgender.
Blessed are the LGBTQ.
Blessed are the sacred choices of women about their sacred bodies.
Blessed are the babies and children.
Blessed are the aging and elders.
Blessed are the poor and those who work too many jobs to make ends meet and those
who cannot find a job.
Blessed are the refugees and immigrants, no matter their legal status.
Blessed are the uninsured and those who fear they will lose their insurance.
Blessed are those who weep and mourn and live with mental illness.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Blessed are those who have survived sexual violence and abuse.
Blessed are those who speak their truth.
Blessed are those who proclaim, “Black Lives Matter.”
Blessed are the indigenous and blessed are their sovereign, sacred lands.
Blessed is the Earth under the siege of climate change.
Blessed are those who are disabled.
Blessed are the Muslims who are threatened with a registry.
Blessed are the Jews who are threatened with bombs.
Blessed are all those who are persecuted.
Blessed are those who stand in solidarity.
Blessed are the merciful.
Blessed are the peacemakers.

“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 . . .”
Matthew 5:1-2

Holy One, help me remember I am blessed so that I might
be a living blessing.

Excerpt from  RISE UP | SPIRITUALITY FOR RESISTANCE by the United Church of Christ