“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:8–10)
How do we attain a pure heart — a heart that, through the Holy Spirit, is able to explore its own depths in the light of God and open all darkness to Him?
The great goal of a pure heart is to do with love all that God, in His love, has entrusted to us and commanded us to do.
This is precisely the task of the Holy Spirit, who is the love between the Father and the Son. He desires to set our hearts ablaze with His love and to strengthen our will so that we may turn away from everything that stands in the way of love’s unfolding. Then, even here on earth, we see God with the eyes of the Spirit, for everything God does is done out of love. And the love in our hearts, to which we have opened ourselves, can recognize this.
In this way, the immeasurable peace of God also enters into us. The inner reconciliation and unity with our Heavenly Father become all the deeper the more our hearts are purified by Him, and consequently make us messengers of His peace. We become witnesses and proclaimers of this peace, which comes from unity with our Heavenly Father and seeks to reach all hearts. Restraining our disordered passions helps us hold fast to the path that can bring true peace, even in difficult situations.
Last but not least, through the very love of God to which we have responded with all our hearts, we become ready to endure persecution for His sake. The gift of strength works within us, enabling us to endure all things in the Lord as we follow the One who has given us these words.
Here is the video featuring the three words of Jesus from the first three meditations in this series:
