When Jesus said '“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." What if he was talking to the person who had been so stricken with the plight of the downtrodden that he had given all his money away to help?

Ya, that newly poor person he would be blessed.

When Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled." What if he was talking to the man who had emptied his pantry to give to those who were starving?

When Jesus said, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." What if he was talking to the person who was so taken with empathy for the needs of his hurting neighbor, that he was reduced to tears?

When Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man." What if he was talking to the man who had stood up for a righteous, yet unpopular cause, like the human rights of the immigrant, the poor, the suffering, the transgender person, and was being barraged with hate?

And when Jesus said, "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." What if he was talking to people who were holding onto too much of their money and possessions and had turned a blind eye to the suffering?

When Jesus said, "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry." What if he was talking to people who had refused to share their food?

When Jesus said, "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep." What if he was talking about people who refused to pay attention and be moved by the plight of the less fortunate?

And when Jesus said, "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets." What if he was talking about people who chosen popularity over purpose - not to get involved in anything outside their comfort zone, do anything controversial, or potentially upsetting to their charmed life?

Jesus is convinced that the best life a human being can live, is the one they give away - that we are truly blessed when we help the poor, hungry, and hurting -

And that our souls really suffer when we hoard, ignore suffering people, and refuse to get involved in anything that might be dangerous, inconvenient, or unpopular.

May God grant us courage and wisdom and strength to be blessed.