8 July 2013 Fifth, sixth, and eighth Beatitudes ‘Blessed are the merciful’ who condole the sufferings of others to help them not from human and natural motives, but as a principle of faith. We are called to works of mercy by our Lord’s precept, “Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” (Mt 5:7); and he has desired to represent the needy in his own person. At the day of judgment he will say: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; ... I was hungry and you gave me to eat. ... I tell you, just as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:34-40) To convert sinners and bring them back to God, to instruct the ignorant, to root out sinful prejudices, to inculcate the truths and maxims of the faith which men are so determined to misrepresent, etc. How have we performed these duties? Patiently? Generously? Do we obtain help in them from God? From our Lady? From the angels and saints? By the sanctity of our llfe, our prayers, and our mortifications? “Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall see God.” (Mt 5:8) There are many degrees of purity of heart: a) freedom from mortal sin; b) freedom from deliberate venial sin and all affection for sin; c) freedom from least ill-regulated affection; d) freedom from imperceptible stains which hinder our entrance into heaven; and e) that perfect purity of intention by which a man sees, feels, and loves nothing but God. Great is the reward promised to this last degree -- they shall see God in this world by the great light given to them, and in the other by the Beatific Vision, which will be in proportion to these different degrees. “Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’s sake” (Mt 5:11), who faithfully observe the law of God; intrepidly defend His cause; procuring his glory and preserving the rights of the Church. In proportion to their labors and risks “theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:11). Do not complain of those who wish us ill and malign us. Rather pity and pray for them. They do us a service by wishing us evil. If we say we care little for outward persecution, do not suffer personally from it; but find it very painful to meet with coldness and opposition on the part of our brethren towards us, find out why. It may be due to our want of regularity, an eccentric character, obstinacy of disposition, or hastiness of temper. If this is the case, we are not suffering for justice’s sake, but for the faults that we can, and ought to, correct. Do this, and all our cause for complaint will vanish. We will be beloved of God and men. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp429-32 ‘The merciful, the pure in heart, the persecuted’ Mercy is not just a matter of giving alms to the poor; but also of being understanding towards other people’s defects, overlooking them, helping them cope with them and loving them despite whatever defects they may have. Being merciful also means rejoicing and suffering with other people. Christ teaches us that the source of quality of human acts lies in the heart, ie, in a man’s soul, in the depths of his spirit. “When we speak of a person’s heart, we refer not just to his sentiments, but to the whole person in his loving dealing with others. In order to help us understand divine things, Scripture uses the expression ‘heart’ in its full human meaning, as the ... ultimate basis, of one’s thoughts, words and actions. A man is worth what his heart is worth.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 164) Cleanness of heart is a gift of God, which expresses itself in a capacity to love, in having an upright and pure attitude to everything noble. As St Paul says, “whatever is true, ... honourable, ... just, ... pure, ... lovely, ... gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil 4:8). Helped by God’s grace, a Christian should constantly strive to cleanse his heart and acquire this purity; his reward is the vision of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because they are holy or because they are striving to be holy. Thus, blessed is he who suffers persecution for being true to Jesus Christ and who does so not patiently but joyfully. Circumstances arise in a Christian’s life that call for heroism, where no compromise is admissible: either one stays true to Jesus Christ whatever the cost to his reputation, life or possessions; or denies him. St Bernard (“Sermon of the Feast of All Saints”) says the eighth Beatitude is the prerogative of Christian martyrs. Every Christian who is faithful to Jesus’ teaching is in fact a ‘martyr’ (a witness) who reflects or acts in accordance with this Beatitude, even if he does not die. The Beatitudes are the conditions Jesus lays down for entering the Kingdom of heaven. The Christian life, then, is no easy matter, but it is worthwhile, given the reward that Jesus promises. Ref: “The Navarre Bible, The Gospel of St Matthew”, 1988, pp56-7 To obtain Mary’s help and intercession Our Lord has multiplied the signs of his benevolence, and he has left us Mary as a powerful beacon. “If the winds of temptation blow, if you run against the reefs of temptation, look at the star, call on Mary. If the waves of pride, of ambition or of envy are breaking over you, look at the star, call on Mary. If anger, greed or impurity are violently shaking the ship of your soul, turn to Mary. ... dismayed at the thought of your sins, confounded by the ugliness of your conscience, fearful at the idea of judgment, and you begin to sink into a bottomless abyss of sadness or of despair, think about Mary. “To obtain her help and intercession, always follow the example of her virtues. You will not go astray if you follow her. You will not despair if you call to her. You will not get lost if you think about her. If she is holding you by the hand you will not fall. If she is protecting you, you have nothing to fear. You will not grow weary if she is your guide. You will reach port safely if she is looking after you.” (St Bernard, “Homily 2 on missus est”, 7) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:464 Novena To Our Lady of Mount Carmel Memorial: July 16 (/www.ewtn.com/faith/carmel.htm) First Day O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our Mother! (‘Pause and mention petitions.’) Say: ‘Our Father’, ‘Hail, Mary’ and ‘Glory Be ...’ ‘Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.’ • Our Lady of Peace at the Capuchin Convent in the Rue St Honore, at Paris. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Kazan. Russia (1579). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Kazan (Russia, 13th C.). (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Kasan (Russia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)