The Beatitudes From a Gay and Lesbian Perspective

This morning a small group of Catholics gathered in the chapel of the house where I live. I suggested we could write our own beatitudes. I shared this version with them from another time, April 1995. It was from the second national gathering of gay and lesbian clergy and religious who met in northern Kentucky.

The Word of the Lord spoken to the CMI assembly gathered in Kentucky in April 1995:

Blessed are they who stand naked and shame free
before God and one another.

Blessed are they who celebrate the rich diversity of all people
as spiritual & sexual beings.

Blessed are they who honor the sacredness of sexuality
& the inherent need for intimacy.

Blessed are they who value and celebrate all life giving relationships
& harmony with all creation.


Amen, Amen I say to you:
Listen to, acknowledge and respect your own
And each others's experience and wisdom.


Amen, Amen I say to you:
Strive with all your heart to live lives
of emotional honesty.


Amen, Amen I say to you:
Seek out & listen to the stranger within yourself
&  to the stranger in your midst.


Amen, Amen I say to you you:
Be the embodiment of Christ in the world
whose table included all ---
even his betrayer.