Blessed are the Merciful

Brenna Rubio gave the final blessing on Sunday. Listen in, with an open heart, and receive this blessing.

Jesus said “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. - Matthew 5:7

Friends, because mercy is a stance towards those who have wounded us, to be merciful is to have been wounded.  Mercy is a constant choice to lay down the defense mechanisms of anger and skepticism, and to see the world with vulnerable hope, holding two perspectives at once - to be clear-eyed about the wrong that has been done AND ALSO to see and lean toward the hope of reparation and restoration, of renewal.

Today, I bless those who have been hurt, in ways big and small, in relationships with people you care about, family or friends, neighbors or co-workers.  

I bless those who’ve been damaged by structural evil, by systems of work and education, justice and government that were set up for the benefit of others and laid heavy burdens on your back, on the back of people you love.

I bless those working hard to forgive themselves, to be humble and compassionate and hopeful toward the brokeness in their own souls.

Jesus sees you, he loves you, and he invites you ever deeper into the life of mercy.  May you breathe it in today - may you breathe it out.