[BW1]

Special readings from Jim cotter's book..."PRAYERS AT NIGHT'S APPROACHING"

LOVE

Wretched are those
who show no compassion
and are insensitive
to the needs of others:
they will always complain
of being misunderstood,
and they will never be loved.

Blessed are those
who accept and forgive
those who hurt them:
they will find understanding
and love.

TRUTH

Wretched are those
who live in illusion
and fantasy:
they will utterly be lost.

Blessed are those
who are honest with themselves,
who are being refined
and chastened
and seek to live the truth:
they will know themselves
and they will know God.

PEACE

Wretched are those
who are at war with themselves,
who spread evil and division
and hatred
seeking to dominate others:
they will breed their own downfall,
and they never know trust
and friendship.

Blessed are those
who create reconcilliation
and goodwill
whereever they go,
returning good for evil:
they are indeed friends of God.

LIFE

Wretched are those
whose lives are shallow
and full of fear,
who cannot respond in truth
when they are challenged:
they will freeze in death.

Blessed are those
who shed their pettiness,
and know the deep things of God
and of themselves,
and so persevere
at whatever the cost -
insult, slander, exile, death:
they will have life
and know it abundantly.