Beatitudes of the People

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Alma Thomas – March on Washington (1964)

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BEATITUDES OF THE PEOPLE 

Blessed Are the People by Cláudio Carvalhaes 

Blessed are the people to whom the doors of the kingdom are wide open
because in their poverty they have been able to make a reality the solidary project of Jesus, because they have understood the “our bread,” 
because they live in worlds without doors or ceilings
—but at the same time, without walls or exclusions. 

Blessed are people who are hungry 
and that, from that place of dissatisfaction—
protest, resist, march, protest before the injustices of a cruel and perverse world. 
In their search for dignity and equity they will be satiated 
by the grace of a God that has chosen to walk beside them. 

Blessed are people who mourn the pains that hurt their neighbors 
and that, even in their own anguish—
have learned to smile and sing, to embrace and take care of each other. 

Blessed are people who are hated and despised 
by those who claim to love and be faithful to their faith
—but who only care about: 
their small spaces, 
their exclusive privileges, 
their selective morality, 
and their destructive theology of merit and prosperity. 

Blessed are people who are insulted and persecuted 
for sharing the liberating and inclusive message of Jesus. 
There are insults that are a wonderful gift! 

Blessed are people whose wealth is not a possession 
but know how to: share, extend the table, make spaces bigger, build bridges,
and make holes in the walls and plant flowers in the cracks. 

Blessed are the people who have learned to laugh,
who discover beauty in simple things,
who do not know rancor,
and who sleep peacefully.

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DOXOLOGY

Holy by Jamila Woods

My cup is full up, what I got is enough
Nobody completes me, don't mess with my stuff
My cup is full up, what I got is enough
Nobody completes me, don't mess with my love
Surely, surely, surely, surely
Goodness and mercy shall follow me
Shall follow me

Amen