People travel from far away
Troubled spirits
Fragile with the weight of struggle
Seeking Jesus’ healing power.

Woe is me
Deliver me from trappings of empire
Bless me in my humanity.
Bless me with compassionate strength.
Beatitudes not just for me . . .

Rejoice in this message of good news.
Crossing boundaries of age, gender, ethnicity, time.
Truth telling that rejects false teachings
Of unjust and oppressive systems and structures.

Leap for joy listening to prophetic voices
Making it plain:
Life is so much more than what Caesar declares.
Creation’s family laughs with delight.
Reward is found in the fullness of time.

By Rev. Melissa Hinnen inspired by Luke 6:17-26.