Two takes on the Beatitudes

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The Beatitudes that Are
(attributed to J.B.Phillips)

What most people think:
Happy are the pushers: for they get on in the world.
Happy are the hard boiled:for they never let life hurt them.
Happy are they who complain: for they get their own way in the end.
Happy are the blasé: for they never worry over their sins.
Happy are the slave-drivers: for they get results.
Happy are the knowledgeable men of the world: for they know their way around.
Happy are the trouble-makers: for people have to take notice of them.

Jesus Christ said:
Happy are those who realise their spiritual poverty: they have already entered the kingdom of reality.
Happy are those who bear their share of the world’s pain: in the long run they know more happiness than those who avoid it.
Happy are those who accept life and their own limitations: they will find more life than anybody.
Happy are those who long to be truly ‘good’: they will fully realise their ambition.
Happy are those who are ready to make allowances and to forgive: they will know the love of God.
Happy are those who are real in their thoughts and feelings: in the end they will see the ultimate Reality, God.
Happy are those who help others to live together: they will be known to be doing God’s work.

From The United Church Winchester newsletter, March 2020

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