BOTH WAYS

Closing my eyes, I try to imagine what it must have been like to hear Jesus speak the Beatitudes that first time there on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee on what was likely another beautiful and sunny, if earth-scorching, day.
        Frankly, for some these words must have been deeply disturbing and even threatening as it’s likely the crowd included at least a smattering of the rich and powerful who had simply come to check this “Jesus” character out. For them Jesus’ words must have felt like a scathing rebuke of the practices of the reigning powers-that-be (to which they may have adhered and belonged) and their tightly held value system that kept the poor poor and the peace-makers persecuted. 
For others Jesus’ words must have been incredibly freeing, inspiring and even exhilarating!—the kind of words that none of us can get enough of in our lives. Some in the crowd must have literally filled their lungs deeply with fresh vitality grounded in this new and expanding definition of blessing. They must have looked into each other’s sad, tired and maybe depressed eyes and smiled irresistibly at each other, maybe laughed deeply with each other, maybe even hugged and danced in place--joy bubbling up from somewhere deep inside at these incredibly life-giving words! They must have been giddy with hope, with feeling “Wow! No one’s ever put it that way before! My life is worth living! GOD LOVES ME, TOO. GOD’S BLESSING IS UPON ME AFTER ALL!”
Personally, I believe I need to hear these bold words both ways. The part of me that perpetuates and benefits from the practices of the world’s current powers-that-be needs to hear in Jesus’ words the thinly-veiled rebuke of a value system that thrives by virtue of inhumane domination of all creation. At the same time, the part of me that wants to dance with delight in the newfound joy, hope and well-being that these words cause to well up from deep in my soul needs to know that Jesus is talking directly, joyfully, lovingly, and most of all, UNMISTAKABLY to me...and you.


When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:1–12)