Sunday’s scripture reading leads us to consider whether we might all be blessed. For example, who among us has reached spiritual perfection? No one has, so we are all at least a little spiritually poor. We are blessed when we recognize this because that recognition can help us continue our spiritual growth.  And once we reach a certain age, we have had reason to mourn. We don’t usually see grief as a blessing; however, grief and love are partners, and love is a blessing. Meanwhile, comforting someone who is living with loss blesses that person and blesses us as well. Consider this as you read Matthew 5:1-12a. Perhaps you will find that you read the words differently. Then read the verses again. Might they serve as instructions about how we are to live?