The Christian life is a blessed life.  The Christian life is also a persecuted life.  Today, Christian persecution around the world is on the rise, reaching unprecedented levels, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.  In western society it can be rather confusing as to what our persecution is compared to others.  In this final beatitude, Jesus gives the reason, the response, and the reward for true Christian persecution.  What is often an ignored beatitude might be the most hopeful of them all.