Friday, 19 April, 2002

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3



Eleanor Rigby..."all the lonely people"...that's one thought that came into the flow of things as I consider this piece. The poor in spirt are those who have no hope in the world...no reason to hope. We all know people who are in this place and I would bet many of us have been there...for a time. For most of us, we have heard that it is not considered "right" to admit to such a visit to hopelessness. It is not considered "right" to admit to wanting the end of things when there appears to be nothing worth life's time anymore. We never let ourselves talk about suicide or assisted suicide because it means we must let in the notion of death...before our days. Yes, it can feel - at times & in many places - that God has given up on us and we are left being strung along on some adventure to no where! And yet, God has never given up on us nor will God ever give up on us. For all who are being entrapped by the sticky web of hopelessness, we can only announce the Reign of God is still the rest of the story. Maybe we can carry on in the middle of the darkest days knowing that we don't know the whole story just by what we are experiencing each day. There is more.







Consider: How can we be present with Eleanor Rigby...and if we are in her shoes...how can we let others in on the depths of our sorrow or hopelessness so that we will never reside there alone.? What does it take to stand with those who have given up...so that each may know that God has not & will not give up on them?



O God of new life and beginnings that never end, mark this day with your blessed presence. Hold us - touch our hearts - open our eyes that we may see through your eyes of grace and unbounded love. AMEN