I rarely write about my faith, and not because I don’t have a strong faith. I just don’t usually bring it up when I’m chatting about my garden. 🙂 But you haven’t heard from me in a couple of weeks because, well, I couldn’t find the right words to say. Today began the St. Gerard Majella novena in the area where I live. (A novena is a devotion with prayers or services on nine consecutive days.) This is the only novena I’ve participated in, and I try to go to at least some part of the nine days every year, and have done so for the past 8 years. As I sat in the pew today, and listened to the prayers and the sermon, I felt compelled to share the eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-10), which are the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

The eight Beatitudes in Matthew:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

May we all be blessed by our actions and what is in our hearts.

In peace,
Dana