Nurture

Beatitudes for a global pandemic

stjohnstmarkchurchburySaturday, July 4, 2020

This wonderful Cartoon of ‘Beatitudes for a global pandemic’ first appeared in the Church Times. It’s reproduced here with grateful thanks to Dave Walker. You can see this and much, much more on his website: CartoonChurch. You can also see it as a video by following this link.

If you enjoy the cartoon or video then please think about giving a donation to the Trussel Trust. Last year, food banks in the Trussell Trust network provided more than 1.6 million emergency food parcels to people in crisis. The Trussell Trust are working to end the need for food banks in the UK.

The amazing words were written by Jayne Manfredi, based on Matthew chapter 5. You can see the original, and much more, on Jayne’s blog.

Beatitudes for a global pandemic

Blessed are those who stay indoors for they have protected others.

Blessed are the unemployed and the self-employed, for their need of God is great.

Blessed are the corner shopkeepers, for they are the purveyors of scarce things.

Blessed are the delivery drivers and the postal workers, for they are the bringers of essential things.

Blessed are the hospital workers; the ambulance crews, the doctors, the nurses, the care assistants, and the cleaners, for they stand between us and the grave, and the Kingdom of Heaven is surely theirs.

Blessed are the checkout workers, for they have patience and fortitude in the face of overwork and frustration.

Blessed are the refuse collectors, for they will see God despite the mountains of waste.

Blessed are the teachers, for they remain steadfast and constant in disturbing times.

Blessed are the church workers; the deacons, priests and bishops, for they are a comforting presence in a hurting world as they continue to signpost towards God.

Blessed are the single parents, for they are coping alone with their responsibilities and there is no respite.

Blessed are those who are alone, for they are children of God and with Him they will never be lonely.

Blessed are the bereaved, for whom the worst has already happened. They shall be comforted.

Blessed are those who are isolated with their abusers, for one day – we pray – they will know safety.

Blessed are all during this time who have pure hearts; all who still hunger and thirst for justice; all who work for peace and who model mercy. May you know comfort. May you know calm. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen.

Jayne has also written ‘Stations of the Cross for a Global Pandemic’ which you can find on her blog here. For some thoughts on how Jesus viewed key workers, please follow this link.