Beatitudes

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. He taught them, saying:
“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.
“Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.
“Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.
“Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.
“Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.
“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.
“Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you. (Matthew 5:1-12, CEB)

I currently live in a state where it is mandated that if the posters are supplied to the district, each classroom have a poster of the 10 Commandments posted. Now my thoughts when this arose were first to think of seperation of Church and State, and to wonder why other religions tennants would not be posted. But then, as I thought more, I wondered which version of the 10 Commandments would be listed. And from the videos I saw from the state legislature, the version is not the one we use as Lutherans. Oh, I guess I should pause and ask, did you know there were different versions of the 10 Commandments?

Also, I wondered why we are so keen on posting rules, even though those who are mandating the posting do not follow them, when this chapter might be better.

Why do we want rules when we should be thinking about tenants for living?

Especially now, in the United States, we see an administration hell-bent on rules and making sure that everyone belongs here and has come the correct way. We seem to be fixated on rules and doing things the right way. As a country, our administration is making it clear if you are not a white, male, born and bred in this country, you do not belong. Even if you have come correctly, you are still an outsider.

Jesus started the sermon on the mount by laying out God’s plan in which “God acts in the imperial world to favor not the privileged powerful but the oppressed poor, deprived of but struggling for justice.” (Warren Carter)

You see, in the United States, our administration is trying to enforce rules that will make us great. What will really make us great is to live in a way that lifts those Jesus came to lift and to see the children of God in every single human being we look at. That is what this teaching is about. Seeing the face of God in the person you think does not belong, because everyone is created in God’s image. Not just the white people, who look and act and think like you. Everyone has a place.

We need to start living like Jesus tells us to and love our neighbors, which is everyone. We need to be like Alex Pretti and stand in front of the person being pepper-sprayed and show mercy, kindness, and love.

Be like Jesus and Alex, and stand against the rule pushers. Stand for the oppressed, deprived, and those struggling for justice. Because if some do not have justice, none of us will have justice.