A song of ascents

(Psalm 123)

I lift up my eyes to you,
to you whose throne
is in heaven.

As the eyes of slaves look
to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD
 our God,
till he shows us his mercy.

Have mercy on us, O LORD,
have mercy on us,
for we have endured
much contempt.

We have endured much ridicule from
the proud,
much contempt
from the arrogant.

The Beatitudes

(Mathew 5:1-11)
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside, and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is tha kingdom of heaven.

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

Blessed for 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 sons of God.

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

"Blessed are you when people insult you, perscute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.