New Year Reflections

One of the pleasures of blogging - usually, when trolls aren't in the vicinity - is receiving comments which inspire me or provoke me. I received one on my Dancing Donkey blog last week, which included this reflection. It's a sort of Beatitudes, which personally I'd like set the tone for my 2014.

REFLECTION 
Happy are those who are poor in spirit
whose heart freely gives and receives,
who say with Mary: “Be it done unto me.”
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy are those who are gentle,
whose concern brings comfort,
whose touch, healing,
whose manner says: “The Lord is with you!”
They will inherit the earth.

Happy are those who mourn with the mourning,
who reach out to the suffering, the oppressed,
who stand with Mary near the cross of her Lord;
in His cross they will be comforted.

Happy are those who thirst for what is right,
who use mind and heart for the Kingdom,
though persecuted in the cause of what is just,
with living waters they will be filled.
Theirs is the Kingdom of God.

Happy are the merciful, the peacemaker,
who forgive and accept the other,
who heal the wounded, reconcile the broken,
feeling oneness with sinful humanity.
Mercy will be shown to them.

Happy are those, pure in heart, transparent,
who pray, “Your name is oil poured out…
in your footsteps, draw me. Let us run...
You are my joy and my gladness!"
Yes, they will see God.





I'm also indebted to Vicky Beeching for pointing this out. I believe it's from the "Think before you tweet" campaign, but could equally apply to all social media. 

My mother used to tell us as children before we spoke to apply the Three Rule test: 
Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind? Sadly I did not always pass the test.

Another ideal to aspire to this year!