I. The eight Beatitudes.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land[1]. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst[2] after justice, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful[3], for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when men shall revile and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake; rejoice and be exceeding glad, because your reward is very great in heaven.”
COMMENTARY.
The poor in spirit are 1. the humble who know their own misery and sinfulness, and who confess by word and deed that they can do nothing of themselves, but that they have received from God all that is good in them. Examples: Joseph, Moses, Gedeon, David, Judith, John the Baptist, Peter. 2. the unworldly whose heart does not cling to worldly goods and pleasures, and who, be they rich or poor, have no inordinate desire for them. Example: Abraham, Job, Lazarus, the Apostles.
The meek are those who are not made angry or bitter by contradictions, injuries, or abuse. Example: David, in his conduct towards Saul and Absalom.
Mourning which is pleasing to God. There is a great deal of mourning and complaining in this “vale of tears”, but all this mourning is not pleasing to God. When, for example, a man grieves, because his pride or his revenge or any other passion is not gratified, his sadness is the result of sin, and can in no way please God. Our sorrow for the dead, or for personal losses or disappointed hopes, is a holy sorrow only so far as it convinces us of the nothingness of the things of this world, and raises our hearts to God in worship and resignation.
- ↑ The land. The words “they shall possess the land, be comforted, have their fill, see God &c.” are but different expressions of the same idea, i. e. “they will go to heaven”.
- ↑ Hunger and thirst. Who crave for faith, virtue and the grace of God as eagerly as a starving man craves for food and drink.
- ↑ Merciful. Those who show mercy to others will find mercy at the judgmentseat of God.
