The Beatitudes
“Blesséd are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
There are many causes for sadness. Perhaps, most can be described with one word: loss. The loss of a loved one, of property, of a job, of good health or a limb … etc.
Reducing all losses to their basic cause, we are left with SIN. This too is a loss: the loss of righteousness and holiness … the loss of a loving relationship with God .. the loss of peace … the loss of eternal life. In addition are the losses which are consequences of sin.
It is the consequences that are of concern to unbelievers. Refusing to acknowledge the disease, they deal only with the symptoms. “Doctor, give me something to make my pain go away.” Or, they go to a psychiatrist, “Help me to overcome my depression.” Or, they turn to intoxicating substances.
As for us, we go to the great Physician of the soul and ask for the cure, not for some mind-numbing drug, which might remove the agony of guilt while allowing us to continue sinning. We go for the cure. Blesséd are we, for we will be comforted. “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’” (Is. 57:15) And, what does He say? “The blood of Jesus Christ, My Son cleanses you from all sin.” (1 Jn. 1:7) . Truly, “Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Cor. 7:10) What a singular distinction God has given to us! We have a preeminent status as those in whom God has worked “godly sorrow.”
As for the consequences of sin, we know that these are only symptoms, which draw our attention to the disease. Therefore, we mourn and repent of the sins, while humbly enduring the earthly consequences, for we know that, thanks to Jesus, we will never endure the eternal consequences.
Praise be to God, who through His Spirit has numbered us among the blesséd ones.
Lord, grant that we, who mourn, will be comforted and numbered among the blesséd. Amen