The Beatitudes reveal those who are honored in the kingdom of God. This kingdom manifesto can also be turned on its head to reveal the true outcasts.
THE ANTI-BEATITUDES
Dishonored are the self-satisfied.
Cast out are those who are unmoved or amused by the misery
of others.
Contaminated are those who shake their fist at God—and keep
at it.
Naked and ashamed are those who hunger for earthly riches
and honor more than the righteousness of the King.
Dishonored are those who refuse generosity to the needy.
Dishonored are the hypocrites who know what is culturally
“nice” but are intent only on self-seeking goals.
Dishonored are those who divide people with their anger or
gossip.
Dishonored are those who refuse to taste shame for the sake
of Jesus’ name.
- From Edward T. Welch, Shame Interrupted: How God Lifts the Pain of Worthlessness and Rejection
