Guest Post

In honor of the Easter holiday, I post the following from the Sermon on the Mount. For those again that think of religion in general and Christianity specifically as controlling and didactic, I present the following. Christ was a rebel in his time versus both Roman authority and that of the Pharisees. I'm no theologian, but I've always loved these verses, that were part of our wedding.

I watched Passion of the Christ for the first time today, now Mel Gibson is nuts and there are some really bizarre anti-Semitic pieces in the movie, for example the "evil" Jewish high priests have the caricature of the stereotypes perpetuated since medieval times, and King Herod is portrayed as a stereotypical lisping, gay king. Some authentic weirdness in the silent curriculum here. A very, violent film (makes Saving Private Ryan look like the Cosby Show) however interesting in showing the humanity and pain of Jesus.

Yeah, I know, easy way out, just use the Bible. Just once a year, I assure you.

Happy Easter!

Matthew 5 The Beatitudes

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.