Jesus raised his eyes to his disciples and said:
“Happy are you who are poor,
because God’s kingdom is yours.
Happy are you who hunger now,
because you will be satisfied.
Happy are you who weep now,
because you will laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and condemn your name as evil because of the Human One. Rejoice when that happens! Leap for joy because you have a great reward in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.
But how terrible for you who are rich,
because you have already received your comfort.
How terrible for you who have plenty now,
because you will be hungry.
How terrible for you who laugh now,
because you will mourn and weep.
How terrible for you when all speak well of you.
Their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets.
“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you. (Luke 6:20-31, CEB)
Happy are they who are:
poor
hunger
weep
rejected
Not the normal list we think of when we think happy or blessed.
But the Kindom of God isn’t like our world.
God’s Kindom is a place where the lowly are lifted up and the proud are brought down. It is a place where we are all equal. It is a place where there is nothing that separates us. We are all the same.
Know that you are a saint of God surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and saints gone before us.
Do not let this world pull you down but be lifted up in the love of God.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 