Video of "Blest are They"
Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
BLEST ARE THEY
by David Haas
1. Blest are they, the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of God. Blest are they, they, full of sorrow, they shall be consoled.
REFRAIN: Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you, holy are you! Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God!
2. Blest are they, the lowly ones, they shall inherit the earth. Blest are they who hunger and thirst, they shall have their fill. (REFRAIN)
3. Blest are they who show mercy, mercy shall be theirs. Blest are they, the pure of heart, they shall see God! (REFRAIN)
4. Blest are they who seek peace; they are the children of God. Blest are they who suffer in faith, the glory of God is theirs. (REFRAIN)
5. Blest are you who suffer hate, all because of me. Rejoice and be glad, yours is the kingdom; shine for all to see. (REFRAIN)
I, like many here, have found religion to be complicated... Spirituality runs WAY too deep to be quantified or to be categorized... often for even one person (maybe especially so!)
I am sometimes asked why I often respond with "Amen... and Blessed be!" to prayer intentions and to good news. It's a good question--the answer stems from the fact that my spirituality comes from multiple traditions. I believe in the importance of Father God... and of Mother Earth. The years I spent in the Wiccan tradition did not leave me when I came to Franciscan Catholicism, and I believe very much in the reverence of women's spirituality. I do not know for sure that the Five-fold Kiss greeting from this tradition is the actual origin of "Blessed Be"-- but it makes sense to me:
Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways
Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar
Blessed be thy [womb/phallus], without which we would not be
Blessed be thy breasts, formed in [beauty/strength]
Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names.
And so, peace to all who stop be here this evening. Blessings from my complicated heart and soul.
Amen and Blessed Be!