By Carter Heyward
Blessed are those who are kind, especially when it’s hard
Blessed are those angry for justice in situations of unfairness and oppression,
Blessed are the compassionate in times of hatred,
Blessed are those who speak honestly when pummeled by lies — and who seek truth when confronted by fake news,
Blessed are those who keep their courage in the face of belligerent bullies,
Blessed are women who stand up to abusive men — and men who stand with, not on, women,
Blessed are the queer who do not walk straight and narrow paths,
Blessed are black lives — and white lives who know that black lives matter,
Blessed are the earth and animals among those indifferent to their well-being,
Blessed are non-violent resisters whose enemies hope you will pick up guns,
Blessed are you when people shake their heads because you refuse to accept authoritarian rulers as “normal,”
Blessed are you peacemakers who refuse cheap grace,
You are daughters and sons of the Sacred,
brothers and sisters of Jesus,
friends of the Spirit,
Salaam. Shalom. Peace.
Radical Discipleship 
Blessed are those who stand up for truth.
Blessings for those who are dying.
All are Blessed in the name of Jesus. Amen
Eastwood Uniting Church would like to publish Carter Heyward’s Beatitudes 2016 in our Contact Magazine. This is a free magazine that is published 4 times a year and is handed out to our parishioners and friends. We are seeking permission to print it in our March 2017 edition. Our website is http://www.euc.org.au if you would like to see previous Contact publications to ensure that we are a active church organisation.