We continue this weekend with appreciation of the Eight Beatitudes with the second set. The fifth through eighth beatitudes are:

5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

    The merciful are those who practice the works of mercy, corporal and spiritual, who help others not from human or natural motives simply, but from supernatural ones, from faith, from love of God.

    To such people, Christ, at the day of judgment, will say: "Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me to eat: I was thirsty and you gave Me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took Me in..." (Matthew 25:34-25).

6. "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."

    Only those who are not in habitual sin are clean of heart, and possess virtue. They will be rewarded with the vision of God in Heaven; and even on earth by the great light given them.

    There are several degrees of purity of heart: to the first degree belong those who are free from mortal sin; to the second belong those who are free from deliberate venial sin and all affection for sin; to the third degree belong those who are free from the least ill-regulated affection; to the fourth belong those who are free from the almost imperceptible stains that delay a soul's entrance into God's home; and to the last degree belong those Christians of such purity of life and thought, of such perfection of zeal and intention, that they habitually live for God alone, that they are perfectly united with Him, so that when they close their eyes in death they will fly straight into the Heart of God.

7. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."

    Men who love peace and preserve it in themselves and among others are beloved by God. We should also try to reconcile those who are not on good terms with each other. This is a superior degree of the second beatitude.

8. "Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."

    Those are blessed who suffer for Christ, religion, or some Christian virtue. They will receive an eternal reward. Those who faithfully observe the entire law of God and defend the cause of His Church, procure His glory and save souls. In this world those who are active in preserving the rights of the Church are often ridiculed and persecuted; they will be especially blessed.

    Our Lord preached the Eight Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon He taught something new in the world. Where people had always striven for riches, honors, and pleasures, Christ praised the poor, the humble, the suffering.

    If we practice faithfully the doctrine of the eight beatitudes, we shall find the true path of perfection and be happy besides on earth. The Beatitudes contain in substance the law of God and all evangelical perfection.

Monday: Conscience part one

June 30 - July 2, 2000
volume 11, no. 115
APPRECIATION OF THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH series

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