i am leaving for israel & palestine this morning, back next saturday. i am excited! it’s a learning trip with my mom and one of our life-long dreams. last night at our house of refuge my new friend who helped us connect to this particular trip shared about her experience in palestine. as she was sharing, i was reminded how desperate we are for God’s help and hope to heal and restore so much brokenness in this world.
and that kind of reconciliation isn’t going to drop out of the sky.
it’s going to come through the spirit of God moving through people to act as ambassadors of love and change and healing.
the beatitudes in matthew 5 are one of my favorite passages of scripture:
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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 be shown 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 because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” – matthew 5:3-10
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we read it at the end of our house of refuge last night. oh, they always stir my heart. read them after intense conversation about the israeli-palestinian conflict and the realities and complexities of life there and they really do you in.
they reflect a better way but a harder way. they call us to humility. they call us to relationship.they call us to reconciliation and justice. they call us to love and mercy. they call us to a vulnerable life. they call us to action.
they call us to take the hit for following the ways of Jesus. as individuals, as communities.
a few years ago i did a series on the beatitudes that was really fun for me as a practice. i thought i’d post those links here today. some of you have already read them before, but for me, they are always a good reminder. i also included a couple of other beatitudes posts over the years.
- blessed are the spiritually poor
- blessed are those who mourn
- blessed are the meek
- blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
- blessed are the merciful
- blessed are the pure in heart
- blessed are the peacemakers
- blessed are those who are persecuted
plus: in sheloves magazine – down we go: the power of the beatitudes and a beatitudes prayer from the refuge a long time ago- blessed are the…
i’ll see you back here on february 4th with some pictures (hopefully one from the mount of the beatitudes!) and some stories. have a great week!
peace and hope, kathy