Sunday Morning - The Beatitudes - Christian Worship Tools

"BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN"

Matthew 5:14

GREETING (adapted from Psalm 118:24)

This is the day that you have made, O God.

We rejoice and are glad in it.

HYMN 707 “Hymn of Promise”

PSALM 126

PRAYER

Loving God of yesterday, today and tomorrow,

how can anyone who is mourning feel blessed?

We feel the awful pain. There is plenty of that.

We accept not knowing how to go on with life.

We can see good in their relief from suffering.

We want to undo this tragedy for our loved one.

Wishing we had died instead makes sense to us.

But we cannot find blessing in our terrible loss.

We have seen you in Jesus’ words and actions,

and we are comforted by the love found there.

We gratefully embrace the grace he brings us,

and we know Christ is the salvation you offer all.

We have heard of the kingdom he is bringing,

and we believe Jesus will faithfully return for us.

We believe in the hope, but doubt the blessing.

Being blessed should feel good, or even joyful.

Tell us, God of love, where the blessing hides.

Is it in resurrection? God of life, tell us, please.

Is blessing found in the resurrection of Christ?

There is certainly joy and relief to be found there.

We love Easter, with all the colorful flowers,

the alleluia-songs, and butterflies out of cocoons.

We feel joy celebrating Christ’s resurrection.

but is this where we are to find our blessing, God?

Or is it when Christ comes for our loved one?

Is it Christ gently lifting them from their grave?

Could it be the joy animating our loved one,

as Christ opens to them the kingdom he has built?

Is it the ecstasy of joining family already there,

finding old friends and meeting all your people?

Feasting with you and your immense family,

is this too part of our loved one’s joyful blessing?

Is their blessing laughter and alleluia-singing?

Our loved one’s Easter Day is truly a celebration.

Is this the blessing? Tell us, Resurrecting God.

Will our loved one’s blessing be the joy we seek?

The assurance of our loved one’s resurrection,

is a fertile field for growing real joy and blessing.

But misery grows like weeds from separation.

This icy fact freezes any joy that could grow in us.

We cherish good memories, but want more.

The past is so precious, but the future feels stolen.

It sounds selfish to say it so bluntly, O God,

but where is the blessing for those left behind?

Is it knowing our suffering is not permanent?

You have planned a day for our resurrection too.

A grand reunion awaits with our loved ones.

There is growing joy, laughter, and celebration too.

And what about the communion of the saints?

Is this invisible connection part of our blessing?

Our greatest blessing is communion with you,

and knowing that you chose us for your kingdom.

We enjoy our relationship with you right now,

but the greatest joy seems to still be ahead of us.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled,” Jesus says.

A day comes when all will be right and joy blooms.

It comes like the dawn after a long, dark night;

like spring rains after miserable months of winter;

like first fruits after all the sowing and weeding;

like a newborn baby after nine months of waiting.

Until then, our joy is found in your faithfulness.

You are our blessing, eternally keeping promises.

You are our God, a blessing to us here and now.

For those who mourn, your company is blessing.

And for those mourning, your love intensifies,

and your compassion provides our needed comfort.

This is Sunday, the day Jesus rose from death,

a day to celebrate the blessing of those who mourn.

Amen.

GATHER WITH A CONGREGATION OF CHRISTIANS

TO CONTINUE THE WORSHIP OF GOD

ON THIS DAY OF JOYFUL RESURRECTION.