“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

We are in chapter nine of our study book. This title fascinates, “Living as Whole Person Among the Unreconciled”. So looking forward to sharing stories and thoughts on how to live and rejoice while being persecuted for doing what one believes right.

Blessed are they who are persecuted~Stained glass window-St. Vincent de Paul Parish Church

“Eternal Life is symbolized by the heavenly crown and stars. The Palms symbolize victory over death. The sword and scourges represent persecution and suffering on earth.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”. (Matthew 5:9)

Peace to you. (John 20:19) We often repeat to one another in church services Shalom to you, meaning peace to you. Wuellner writes on page 114 of our study book saying this means, “wholeness, well-being, a deep and energized harmony of body and soul. It implies a close relationship of blessedness and healing with God.”

She goes on to say, “The person who brings the shalom, that vibrant, energized wholeness, brings peace not only between the outer and inner contrast but also to the deepest blocks within.”

This is a great, exciting venture we are on to be a peacemaker. And, to be called a child of God brings a smile to my face. Let’s get started in our study and offer peace to ourselves and others.

I heard this art work is a stain glass window in a Catholic Church in Nebraska, USA And, they labeled it well.

~Blessed are the peacemakers~“The dove represents the Holy Spirit. The sword, spear, pruning hook and plow represents Isaiah 2:4 “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” The olive branch and olives represent peace.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”—Matthew 5:8

This beatitude gives an insight into the thinking of Jesus concerning our hearts. It is not enough to clean up our act on the outside. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. You blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” (Matthew 23:25–26)

“What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart . . . For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a man.” (Matthew 15:18–19)

“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit . . . For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:33–)

We are in Chapter Seven of our Study Book, “Focusing on God’s Light in Others and Ourselves” Forgiveness The Passionate Journey, Flora Slosson Wuellner.

We are in Chapter 6 of our study book. Chapter Title, “Seeing The Wounds of Our Wounders”. My first thought was I sure want mercy. But, what would that mean? Why would I want mercy so much that I would dig into this study with the same passion that I dip into ice cream. 🍦 It happened when I 👀 at what mercy is not. Do you agree?

Antonyms for Mercy, cruelty, intolerance, meanness, uncompassion

“God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” Matthew 5:5 NLT

We are in Chapter four of “Forgiveness the Passionate Journey” nine steps to forgiveness through Jesus’s Beatitudes. Flora Slosson Wuellner If you don’t have this book just open a Bible to Matthew 5 and follow along. Join us in breaking this promise down to action in our lives. And this is a very good promise, inherit the whole 🌏

I am fascinated with the title of this Chapter, “Away from Force into God’s Gentle Power.” What say you?

“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Let’s give these words spoken by Jesus life as we jointly share our stories.