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| Photo by Christina Honchell |
It was the culmination of an hour of talks, filled with prayers and stories that touched all of us in the church. Theologically, there wasn't anything that differed markedly from what we at All Saints Pasadena usually hear from our pulpit. What felt different was her delivery.
She's direct and to the point. She doesn't shirk from swearing. Nadia sticks to being her authentic self. She did confide that she's had discussions in the past with her bishop about her communication style, but by being true to herself, she shows herself to be more honest and believable in her relationship with God.
That's not to say that those who don't swear have an untrue relationship. She just won't change herself superficially just to be polite.
One of the most moving moments was when Nadia shared her modern Beatitudes. I include them here for you.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who no one else notices. The kids who sit alone at middle-school lunch tables. The laundry guys at the hospital. The sex-workers and the night shift street sweepers. Blessed are the losers and the babies and the parts of ourselves that are so small. The parts of ourselves that don’t want to make eye contact with a world that only loves the winners. Blessed are the forgotten. Blessed are the closeted. Blessed are the unemployed, the unimpressive, the underrepresented. Blessed are the teens who have to figure out ways to hide the new cuts on their arms. Blessed are the meek. You are of heaven and Jesus blesses you. |
As you can see she took the original and expanded them with examples that may resonate more effectively to the modern ear, especially here in the USA. The original Beatitudes are from the Sermon on the Mount and are in Matthew 5:3-11.
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I can't stop thinking about this updated list. It's similar but it focuses on things that are more tangible, more direct. They arise from stories in the pews and in the streets. She didn't change the blessings. She painted real faces, faces awash in tears, of those who the blessings are poured upon.
So since her talk, I've been thinking about my own examples of the Beatitudes. Her examples are from her ministry. We all have different ministries and my will seem different from hers. After much reflection, I find the my list to be already formed in my head but, until now, not written down.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, the spiritual but not religious the seekers of their authentic selves the suffering who begin to doubt because the pain never seems to end the sick who fear their own bodies the stranger in our midst who needs a smile, a hug, a friend the child afraid to venture outside lest the bullying return the scared who fear coming home lest they return to a place of anger and judgment for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, the spouse who lost the person they've loved deeper than we can understand the lovers who no longer find the trust and joy in each other's arms and say goodbye the child who doesn't understand why her parent won't be coming home anymore the friends who viewed a couple as one, as was meant to be, but now just find hollow eyes the family shocked at the loss of someone taken too soon by gun violence the relatives whose loss is viewed by others as collateral damage the breaking hearts who did not even have a chance to say goodbye the silent who must watch dementia steal someone's memories away leaving just a body for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, the teenager who stays in the closet, fearing that the name of their love will be discovered the pained who turn to the bottle or to pills to give them strength and energy the thinker and artist that lacks the opportunity to share the pastors who heal others but wonder who will tend to them the friend who realizes that somehow their bodies and souls don't fit a M/F binary the nurse who washes our sores the friend that listens to hear us, watches to see us, and grabs our hands to hold us for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the foreigner who is told to leave and go to a place of fear and hunger the friends who cannot walk down the street in a hoodie or even complain about injustice the mother who just wants to get affordable medical care to plan a family the inmate facing the final judgment of Man and not our Creator the families torn apart because of arbitrary rules regarding homeland the kneeling who face violence because of their love for God, YHWH, Allah, Buddha, Shiva, ... the proud who won't let others impose their bigotries on them for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, the heros who take care of us behind our backs the friends that know all will benefit from roads, sanitation, health, protection, education the families who reach out and adopt and care for all children, not just those that look like them the older sibling, real or implied, who has our backs the comadre and compadre who listen to our problems without judging us the teacher who gives of their own time to care for that special child the mother and father, sister and brother, who just want you to be happy for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, the custodians at the church, homeless shelter, and hospital the teachers who want the most for your child the person at the grocery line who lets you cut in front of them the staff at the store and restaurant that share the bathroom even if you didn't or can't buy anything the ranger who tends to our land so that future generations can marvel at Creation the homeowner who sees you lost, gives you water, and guides you home the friend who gives you a ride, cares for a prisoner, plants flowers on a trail for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, the police and judiciary that understand that true safety starts in trust the people who unite us as a human family, rather than divide us like spoils of war the artists, writers, and musicians who inspire us to love and compassion the fire crew that calms the fearful neighborhood the military who put their lives on the line for our protection and not for their glory the unknown missionary who lies in a shallow grave for the civil rights of brothers and sisters the good Samaritan whose name we never knew, or whose face we've already forgotten for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, the ones who care for the Children of God ignoring false idols ignoring their own egos ignoring the sense of their own righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. |
May you find examples of the beatitudes in your own life and live out the meaning of God's blessings. I invite you to share them with me, for in sharing your views of blessing, you bless me with your insight and love.
Lovely. Thanks, Mel!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dan. That means much to me
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