THE BEATITUDES (Matt. V, 3 etc.)
[I think this is the last point I copy from the book, it is almost complete]
384.- The Beatitudes are eight:
1st Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2nd Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
3rd Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
4th Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
5th Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
6th Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
7th Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
8th Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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385. They are called Beatitudes because in them lies happiness in this life and hope for the next.
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386. These eight beatitudes are the best works of the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
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Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, in addition to the eight beatitudes, also said these terrible words:
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‘Woe to you, rich, because you have your comfort!’
‘Woe to you who are full now, because you will be hungry!’
‘Woe to you who laugh now, because you will mourn later!’
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Jesus Christ gave us the beatitudes so that we detest the maxims of the world and be encouraged to love and practice the maxims of the Gospel.
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The world calls blessed those who live joyfully and have no opportunity to suffer.
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The desire to satisfy disordered passions is what condemns men.
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Riches are the most convenient means to satisfy passions.
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For this reason, Jesus begins by calling the poor in spirit blessed.
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387. The poor in spirit are those who do not want, at least emotionally, honors or wealth, even in moderation.
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The poor in spirit, according to the Gospel, are those who do not have their hearts set on riches; they use them well if they have them; they do not seek them too eagerly if they do not have them; and they endure their loss with resignation.
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It is possible to be poor in spirit and possess much wealth; and it is possible to possess nothing and not be poor in spirit.
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388. The meek are those who have no anger and hardly they have any trace of it.
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The meek are those who treat others with gentleness and patiently endure the defects of the neighbor and offenses they receive, without complaints, resentment, or revenge.
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389. The meek will inherit the earth because of the appeal of their gentleness and as masters of themselves.
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390. Those who mourn are the ones who give up pleasures, even moderate ones.
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Those who mourn are those who patiently endure tribulations, and grieve over sins committed, over the evils and scandals seen in the world, for being far from heaven, and for the danger of losing it.
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391. Those who hunger and thirst for justice are those who eagerly fulfill well their duties
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They are the ones who ardently wish to continually grow in divine grace and in the practice of good works.
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392.- The merciful are those who are very pious, even with strangers.
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Merciful are those who, for God's sake, love their neighbor, pity their miseries, both spiritual and corporal, and seek to alleviate them as much as they can.
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393. The pure of heart are those who mortify their passions in everything.
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[Remember that Our Lady of the Roses told us that there is no excuse for TV in the house of the just. She commands us to dress decently and in loose clothes (men and women). Women must have long hair, and men: short.
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The Messages of Our Lady of the Roses were banned by a bishop who rebelled against the Church (he didn’t follow the laws he was supposed to, he never even interviewed the seer), so his ruling is flawed. The Messages are completely in line with Holy Tradition and are being fulfilled in detail. We can’t follow a rebel bishop. Remember that in the time of St. Athanasius, only he and few bishops more stayed faithful to the Holy Spirit; most of the bishops were Arians, who are condemned along with all the people who followed them. We have to remain faithful to the Holy Tradition of the Church.]
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394. The peaceful are those who make peace among themselves and with others.
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395. Those who suffer persecutions are those who stand by justice even if they are persecuted.
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They suffer persecution for righteousness if they patiently endure mockery, insults, and harassment because of the faith and law of Jesus Christ.
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The rewards that Jesus promises in the Beatitudes all signify, although under different names, the eternal glory of heaven.
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The Beatitudes not only bring us the eternal glory of Paradise, but also provide the means to live a happy life, as far as possible, in this world.
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Those who follow the Beatitudes already receive some reward, even in this life; because they enjoy a peace and inner contentment, which is the beginning, though imperfect, of eternal happiness.
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Peace of mind is the greatest and purest satisfaction we can enjoy here on earth.
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Those who follow the world's ways are not happy because they don’t have true peace of soul, and they are in great danger of damnation.