Contents

Good Company
The Beatitudes don't bless us so we look good—they bless us so we do good. When we do good, we're in fine company as we bear the face of Christ to our neighbor and each other.

A Life Transformed
Michele Zeller
Who are these wild women in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus? How are they related to the Prince of Peace?

The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
Joan Chittister
Older people tend to come in two flavors — the sour ones and the serene ones.

Saintly Mothers
Judy Chiarelli
The sons of these two faithful women shaped Christian history.

All God's Children
Kathryn Sime
Learn how our gifts to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal provide a mothering embrace to children living in poverty.

Blessed to See
David L. Miller
We associate blessing with health, wealth, and security. That's not what the Beatitudes teach.

Departments
Voices
Good Company
Kate Sprutta Elliott

Give Us This Day
Whispering Hope
Marj Leegard

Calendar Notes
May
Audrey Novak Riley

Let Us Pray
Gifts from God
Debra K. Farrington

Bible Study
Blessed to Follow: The Beatitudes as a Compass for Discipleship
Martha E. Stortz
Session 9: Blessings in the Midst of Suffering
God became one of us to experience everything we experience, even suffering and persecution.

Health Wise
Overcoming Arthritis
Molly M. Ginty

We Recommend
Resources for action, advocacy, programs, or further study.

Grace Notes
I am Blessed
Linda Post Bushkofsky

Amen!
Looking Good
Catherine Malotky

Plus...
Lutheran Writers Book Club
Kate Sprutta Elliott
Engaging reads.

Summer Bible Study
Audrey Novak Riley
Come to the waters for a one-day retreat.

Directory of Reader Services
Subscription, editorial, and ordering information.