The Beatitudes of Contemplation and Union with God. - part 3.

Some philosophers have thought that happiness lies in the knowledge of truth, especially supreme truth. This was the teaching of Plato and Aristotle. They were but little preoccupied with purity of heart, and their lives, on more than one point, were in contradiction with their doctrine. Christ tells us: "Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God." He does not say that those are blessed whocreceived a powerful intellect, who have the leisure and means to cultivate it; but rather, blessed are the clean of heart, even though they be naturally less endowed than many others. If they are clean of heart, they shall see God. A truly clean heart is like the limped waters of a lake in which the azure of the sky is reflected, or like a spiritual mirror in which the image of God is reproduced. That the heart may be pure, a generous mortification is prescribed: "If thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out...If thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off." Matt. 5:29. We must particularly watch over purity of intention: for example, not giving alms through ostentation, not praying to draw upon ourselves the esteem of men, but seeking only the approbation of "the Father who seeth in secret". Then will be realized the words of teh Master: "If thy eye be single, thy whole body shall be lightsome" Matt 6:22.
Even here on earth, the Christian will, in a sense, see God in his neighbour, even in souls that at first seem opposed to God. The Christian will see God in holy Scripture, in the life of the Church, in the circumstances of his own life, and even in trials, in which he will find lesson on the ways of Providence as a practical application of the Gospel. Under the inspiration of the gift of understanding, this is the true contemplation which prepares us for that by which, properly speaking, we shall see God's face, His goodness, and His infinite beauty. Then all our desires will be gratified, and we shall be inebriated with a torrent of spiritual delights.
This contepmlation of God ought, even here on earth, to be fruitful. It gives peace, a radiating peace, as the seventh beatitude says: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God". According to St. Augustine and St. Thomas, this beatitude corresponds to the gift of wisdom, which makes us taste the mysteries of salvation and see, so to speak, all things in God. The inspirations of the Holy Ghost, to which this gift renders us docile, gradually manifest to us the wonderful order of the providential plan even in those things, and at times especially in those things, which at first disconcerted us, in the painful and unforseen events permitted by God for a higher good. One could not thus perceive the designs of Providence, which directs our lives, without experiencing peace, which is the tranquility of order.

To be continued..