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The World's Beatitudes

Over recent months in Belfast South Methodist we have been thinking about the implications of Jesus’ Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5, and in this morning's broadcast Service on Radio Ulster we were reflecting on "Blessed are the Peacemakers..." and as part of it we contrasted the words of Jesus with common attitudes in the world at large:

VOICE 1:          Jesus says:
VOICE 2:          "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
VOICE 1:          The world says:
VOICE 3:          "Blessed are the materially wealthy, because theirs is the kingdom of the here and now."
VOICE 1:          Jesus says:
VOICE 2:          "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
VOICE 1:          The world says:
VOICE 3:          "Blessed are those who are too busy living to think about death, because life is for living."
VOICE 1:          Jesus says:
VOICE 2:          "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
VOICE 1:          The world says:
VOICE 3:          "Blessed are the self-assertive, because they will get what they want."
VOICE 1:          Jesus says:
VOICE 2:          "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
VOICE 1:          The world says:
VOICE 3:          "Blessed are those who are satisfied with the world as it is, because they don’t have to do anything to improve it."
VOICE 1:          Jesus says:
VOICE 2:          "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."
VOICE 1:          The world says:
VOICE 3:          "Blessed are the merciless, because they will never allow themselves to be at anyone else’s mercy." 
VOICE 1:          Jesus says:
VOICE 2:          "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
VOICE 1:          The world says:
VOICE 3:          "Blessed are those who keep their hands clean, because others will do all the dirty work."
VOICE 1:          Jesus says:
VOICE 2:          "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
VOICE 1:          The world says:
VOICE 3:          "Blessed are the warriors, because no-one will ever treat them like children."
VOICE 1:          Jesus says:
VOICE 2:          "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
VOICE 1:          The world says:
VOICE 3:          "Blessed are those who get their retaliation in first, because good guys finish last in this world."
VOICE 1:          And all the people said:
ALL:                  AMEN

Shalom
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