The Beatitudes and the Anti Beatitudes

So here are the Beatitudes: (According to Matthew)
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 receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

So as I have been trying to write my sermon, keeping in mind of course that next Sunday is the tremendously awesome, Sunday after All Saints, one of my favorite Church Sundays, the Church is always such a thin place on that Sunday, I have been wondering who it is we revere, who is it, as Ecclesiasticus says, do we "Sing praises" of? Then I started thinking about the Beatitudes and how the culture today would define them, or recognize them, and came up with the following
ANTI-BEATITUDES:

Blessed are the CEO's making millions of dollars, for they will accomplish the American Dream, receiving every material thing they have ever wanted.

Blessed are the large companies of our time, Nike, Microsoft, Enron, Halliburton for they will perpetuate the current consumer culture, helping people mindlessly conform to their mores, values and norms.

Blessed are our politicians, for they will show our strength by building empires throughout the world.

Blessed are Professional Athletes, for theirs will be the ring, the trophy and championship and a giant paycheck.

Blessed are the extremists, Christian, Muslim and all others, for they will cause fear in all they hate and bring judgment upon all they fear.

Blessed are all our actors and actresses for they will pretend to see God.

Blessed are the automobile, gun and airplane manufacturers, for they will destroy the earth.

Care to add your own?
Be well,
A+

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