The 21st Century Beatitudes

Based on Matthew 5 The Beatitudes for the twenty-first century might read something like this: ‎Blessed are the rich, for they will be able to do whatever they want and accumulate many fabulous things. ‎Blessed are the talented, for they will capitalize on their abilities. ‎Blessed are the beautiful, for they will be adored and beloved and envied by others. ‎Blessed are the powerful, for they will control trends and markets and people. ‎Blessed are the strong, for they will live without the help or advice of other people. ‎ ‎The modern version treats "blessing" as a self-made result of human effort, wealth, or genetics. In the Sermon on the Mount, blessing is a gift of divine favor bestowed on those the world often disregards. ‎Jesus turns social structures upside down. The world rewards those at the top of the ladder; Jesus elevates the overlooked, the merciful, and those who suffer for righteousness.