Alternative Opening to Matthew 5

(Some people may be preaching on this text next Sunday)

God saw women, men and children marching all over the world and hoped their mountain-top experience would sit down into new be-ing and new attitudes because beatitudes always turn things upside down from the perspective of the powerful.

And God looked around for some disciples to teach and for the folks who don’t need to worry about lunch but would be willing to share it.

‘Blessed are black lives, for they matter.

‘Blessed are Muslims, for they will hear as-salāmu ʿalaykum from their neighbors.

‘Blessed are new Americans without documents, for they will inherit a path to citizenship.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for reproductive rights, labor organizing rights, environmental protections, and new practices of policing and criminal justice, for they will find enough energy and encouragement to phone their leaders every day, to make signs, to stand in vigil, and to create new alliances.

‘Blessed are the Water Protectors of Standing Rock and the first graders of Flint Michigan, for they will drink deeply.

‘Blessed are the journalists, for they will speak truth.

‘Blessed are gay, lesbian, bi, queer, trans or gender non-conforming people, for they will be called the children of God.

‘Blessed are those whose health care is endangered, whose voting rights are challenged, who are threatened with a wall … for their bandages and ballots and border-crossings will become the priority of God’s people.

‘Blessed are you when people you fear are given cabinet positions and roles of authority and when false news surrounds you. Rejoice and be glad (and maybe just a little bit mad), for this is nothing new for people of faith, and God has always cared for the sparrows’ falling rather than the raptors’ tweet.