Blessed are the poor in spirit,
theirs is the kingdom of overflow inside.
Theirs is the river,
and knowledge of its source.
Theirs is the riches that do not depend on this world,
but continually spring from the well within.
Blessed are those who mourn,
their comfort shall come
from the one whose crown of thorns led to resurrection life.
One whose cross was carried with dignity and grace,
and who enables us to bear ours
by holding us in his strength.
Blessed are the meek
for the whole earth is theirs.
Those who open their hands, and who step aside.
Those whose gentleness mends broken hearts.
God has poured back upon them,
the gifts they’re constantly giving out.
Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
they shall be filled by the one
whose justice blazes as the sun.
Who wipes the tears of those who cry for the world
and thirst for love’s fulfillment.
Blessed are the merciful
for they will be shown mercy.
Mercy gentle as the tears of heaven,
that fall on hearts made perfect by suffering,
and who have learned the way of brokenness
and forgiveness which leads to restoration.
Blessed are the pure in heart
for they shall see their God,
with eyes not clouded by the cares of the world,
but cleansed by grace,
and blessed by their focus upon
the beloved of their hearts.
Blessed are the peacemakers
for they will be called the Children of God.
Those who understand the one body of his Kingdom.
Who realise that a breath upon a leaf moves a star.
That we are to move gently and justly through the lives we meet,
as though each belonged to us.
Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the fullness of heaven.
Theirs is the balm of his love
for the pain of the world’s sting.
Theirs is a prize for the endurance they have shown.
And theirs is a crown that none can take away, and the morning star.
Blessed are those who are insulted and falsely accused,
theirs is a great rejoicing and eternal reward.
The reward of knowing that a heart tuned to heaven,
and which cares not for the affirmation of this world,
has already arrived home.
Has passed from condemnation into life
and knows to whom it belongs.
Ana Lisa de Jong
March 2018
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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.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’
Matthew 5:3-12
Image: My own
Living Tree Poetry 