BEATITUDES 2:
WHY ARE “THOSE WHO MOURN,” BLESSED?

4 “Those who mourn”: here our Lord is saying that those are blessed who suffer from any kind of affliction — particularly those who are genuinely sorry for their sins, or are pained by the offences which others offer God, and who bear their suffering with love and in a spirit of atonement.

“You are crying? Don’t be ashamed of it. Yes, cry: men also cry like you, when they are alone and before God. Each night, says King David, I soak my bed with tears. With those tears, those burning manly tears, you can purify your past and supernaturalize your present life” (J. Escrivá, The Way, 216).

The Spirit of God will console with peace and joy, even in this life, those who weep for their sins, and later will give them a share in the fullness of happiness and glory in heaven: these are the blessed.

Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et exultate, nos. 75-76 comments:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”

“75. The world tells us exactly the opposite: entertainment, pleasure, diversion and escape make for the good life. The worldly person ignores problems of sickness or sorrow in the family or all around him; he averts his gaze. The world has no desire to mourn; it would rather disregard painful situations, cover them up or hide them. Much energy is expended on fleeing from situations of suffering in the belief that reality can be concealed. But the cross can never be absent.

76. A person who sees things as they truly are and sympathizes with pain and sorrow is capable of touching life’s depths and finding authentic happiness.[70] He or she is consoled, not by the world but by Jesus. Such persons are unafraid to share in the suffering of others; they do not flee from painful situations. They discover the meaning of life by coming to the aid of those who suffer, understanding their anguish and bringing relief. They sense that the other is flesh of our flesh, and are not afraid to draw near, even to touch their wounds. They feel compassion for others in such a way that all distance vanishes. In this way they can embrace Saint Paul’s exhortation: “Weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15).

Knowing how to mourn with others: that is holiness.”

Cordially inviting you to like our FB page so we could have a wider apostolic reach and help more people in their Christian life. Thanks and God bless! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo.

SEE AS WELL :
THE BEATITUDES AND HOLINESS. AV reflection in http://wp.me/p6k7Mv-1Ye

THE BEATITUDES. AV Catechism in http://wp.me/p6k7Mv-1XS

BEATITUDES 1: WHAT DOES “POOR IN SPIRIT” MEAN? in http://wp.me/p6k7Mv-1Yk

PHOTO CREDIT:  Carl Bloch, Christ in Gethsemane in  https://store.moa.byu.edu/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/975e6492220123fe0b25fe6c25b40963/c/b/cbchristingethsemane_1_1f_web.jpg