The Eight Beatitudes

Introduction

• The Beatitudes are solemn blessings marking the opening of the Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of St. Matthew (5:3-10).
• Four Beatitudes also appear in the Gospel of St. Luke with slight variations.
• St. Matthew's account is more comprehensive and emphasizes the spiritual nature of the Messianic kingdom.

The Beatitudes According to St. Matthew

• Blessed are the poor in spirit:

  • Promise: The kingdom of heaven.
  • Interpretation: Spiritual poverty and humility before God.

• Blessed are the meek:

  • Promise: They shall possess the land.
  • Interpretation: Humility and meekness, symbolizing the Kingdom of Heaven.

• Blessed are they who mourn:

  • Promise: They shall be comforted.
  • Interpretation: Mourning for personal and global miseries, receiving comfort in the heavenly kingdom.

• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice:

  • Promise: They shall be filled.
  • Interpretation: Desire for religious and moral perfection, leading to spiritual growth.

• Blessed are the merciful:

  • Promise: They shall obtain mercy.
  • Interpretation: Acts of corporal and spiritual mercy lead to receiving Divine mercy.

• Blessed are the clean of heart:

  • Promise: They shall see God.
  • Interpretation: Sincerity and purity in intention, leading to a supernatural vision of God.

• Blessed are the peacemakers:

  • Promise: Called children of God.
  • Interpretation: Promoting peace within and between mankind, reflecting God’s love.

• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake:

  • Promise: Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Interpretation: Embracing persecution as a form of blessing, linking back to spiritual themes.

Textual Criticism

• Minor textual variances noted in certain verses, particularly in verse 9 and the order of verses 4 and 5.

Theological Interpretations

• Beatitudes emphasize both passive virtues (poverty, mourning) and active virtues (mercy, peacemaking).
• Highlight the spiritual character and moral perfection of the Messianic kingdom.

Conclusion

• The Beatitudes form a central doctrine of Christian life, comparable to the Decalogue and the Lord's Prayer in significance and poetic beauty.

Sources

• Commentaries by St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Chromatius.

Miscellaneous

• Published by the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1907, edited by Kevin Knight.