“Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, who hunger and thirst for justice, who are merciful, who are pure in heart, who are peacemakers, who are persecuted, who are reviled.” Many people think that the Beatitudes are qualities that they must possess to be blessed. “Yes, Lord, I hunger and thirst for justice….and I’m fairly pure in heart – at least my intentions are….and I try to make peace with even the most difficult people…So I guess, that means I am blessed when I do these things.” If you think this way, you get Jesus backwards.  Becoming involved in social activism for justice neither blesses you nor qualifies you to be declared blessed.  The same is true when Jesus says, "you are salt and light."  We turn this into a command to BE salt and light, rather than live as salt and light.  But what does it matter if we live as salt and light, or not.  What does Jesus intend for you when He says you are salt and light.