The final beatitudes of Jesus offer blessings we would rather forego.
The 7th beatitude calls us to a difficult, heroic way of life.
There come a time in every life when we need mercy. That's why the words of Jesus’ fifth Beatitude grab our attention.
It is our hungering and thirsting, not our accomplishments, that win the praise of our Lord.
Frank Zappa's song, "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (released 1981) is a pretty good take on why many find Jesus' third beatitude laughable.
How can it be that those who mourn are the blessed? Jesus' second beatitude is a surprise to our ears.