“The Beatitudes from the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount are some of the most well-known and recognizable of all of the sayings of Jesus. May we never allow the familiarity of these statements to lessen the enormous challenges that they articulate for us. The very things that Jesus is calling “blessed” are, in fact, things that we generally do all in our power to avoid in our world today. Perhaps a closer reading of-and adherence to-the Lord’s words here could pave the way for a transformation of society, and for a nation truly guided by the light of Christ.”

[excerpt from a homily for July 4 for Fortnight for Religious Freedom]