This is the season of Epiphany, and we are exploring Jesus’ kingdom teaching. At the beginning of Jesus’ most famous sermon (the Sermon on the Mount) we encounter this  eight-tiered announcement about who will be most blessed at the arrival of God’s coming kingdom. These pronouncements of blessing are not simple platitudes, but rather they are shocking paradoxes that unfold the counter-intuitive wisdom of God. Plan to be with us as we take a fresh look at the beatitudes.