The Beatitudes are primarily an announcement by Jesus of a paradigm shift, a new kingdom or country or community - whatever metaphor we use is less important than the point that is being made: the old guard is over, the new kingdom has arrived. If you were poor and stigmatized and rejected by society in the former paradigm, you are uniquely blessed by God and all things are yours in the new paradigm.The Beatitudes are not only as an expression of...