God tends to flip our paradigms of power upside down. It’s true in the birth, life, and death of Jesus, in the beatitudes Jesus shares, and in the lives of the saints through the centuries. Susan reflects on Matthew 5:1-12 and some of our historical saints: immigrants, teetotallers, prudes, feminists, slaves, a slave trader, pirates, and those who have no idea what they’re doing. And, perhaps, if you’re willing… you, too.

Here are links so you can learn more about each of the saints Susan mentions in this episode of the podcast:

Katharine Maurer: The Angel of Angel Island

Sojourner Truth

Frances Willard

Anna Howard Shaw

Mary McLeod Bethune

John Newton

Godric of Finchale

Thomas Merton

Here are two previous episodes on the Beatitudes:

Episode 17: Beatido’s and Beatidon’ts

Episode 18: Too Blessed to Be Stressed (Or Not)