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Orthodox Confession
St Peter Mogila, tr. Lodvel, 1762
Part 2, 4. Questions 31–40
Question 31
What Doctrine doth this Beatitude contain?
Answer.
It relates to Riches and the good Things of this World; which, if it please God to bestow them on us, we should use, not as if they were our own, but as only being the Stewards and Dispensers of them, and not give ourselves up to great Anxiousness or to Covetousness: As we are admonished by the holy Psalmist (Psal. lxii. 10), If Riches increase, set not your Heart upon them. We ought to imitate the ancient Christian Perfection, and have nothing distinct, but all Things in common: After the Example of those Christians who lived in the Infancy of the Church, of whom the Scripture testifies (Acts iv. 32), The Multitude of them that believed were of one Heart and of one Soul; neither said any of them that ought of the Things which he possessed was his own, but they had all Things common. And after, at the 34th Verse, Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were Possessors of Lands or Houses sold them, and brought the Prices of the Things that were sold, and laid them down at the Apostles’ Feet; and Distribution was made unto every Man according as he had Need. And again (Acts ii. 44), All that believed were together, and had all Things common. It is this Virtue that is called Poverty of Spirit. However, it is requisite and allowable that every one retain to himself so much as is necessary for his due and proper Support and Accommodation, without Luxury and Extravagance. In this Virtue the Monks and Religious are deservedly allowed to excel, seeing they are not to be careful for anything as their own, not even for necessary Food and Clothing; but they suffer the Want of all Things with Patience, in Hopes of greater Rewards in Heaven: Having before their Eyes the Words of the Apostle (1 Cor. iv. 11), Even unto this present Hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain Dwelling-place; and labour, working with our own Hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat; we are made as the Filth of the World, the Offscouring of all Things, even unto this Day. For Sufferings like these Christ offers the Kingdom of Heaven as a Reward, Nevertheless, such as do possess Wealth, gotten innocently and with Justice, will be also Partakers of Salvation and eternal Life, provided they possess their Riches in Righteousness; namely, if they use them for the Relief of the Necessities of the Church, in Almsgiving to the Poor, the Stranger, the Sick, and whosoever is in Need. In like Manner as Zacchœus did unto Christ himself when he spoke unto him thus (Luke xix. 8), Behold, Lord, the Half of my Goods I give unto the Poor, and if I have taken any Thing from any Man by false Accusation, I restore him fourfold. But Spendthrifts, who by Debauchery and Profuseness are reduced to extreme Poverty, are in no Sort the Object of this Beatitude, such Poverty being rather the proper Punishment of their Prodigality and unjust Abuse of what they had. Nevertheless they are not to be rejected from the Alms of good Men, and if they reform and practise the Virtues of Poverty, they will also receive the Reward of this Beatitude from God.
Question 32
What is the second Beatitude?
Answer.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Question 33
What doth this Beatitude teach?
Answer.
First, It teacheth that those of the Faithful are blessed who through their whole lives mourn and weep for their old Sins and Offences, whereby they have offended God and their Neighbour; according to the Words of the Prophet (Jer. i. 4), The Children of Israel shall come, and the Children of Judah shall come; going weeping, they shall go and seek the Lord their God. But they have no Part in this Beatitude who mourn and weep only because of some worldly Grief or Misfortune. Nor they who, when they are condemned to suffer the Punishment due to their Crimes, weep and mourn; not because they have sinned, but because of the Fear of their Punishments which they must undergo for them. Nor they, likewise, who are concerned only on Account of having lost some perishable Thing or other, and the like. Secondly, This Beatitude teacheth us that those are blessed who, with unfeigned Sorrow, and Tears shed for the Sins of others, appease the Wrath of God towards them, and pour forth their Prayers before him that he would vouchsafe unto them the Grace to repent of their Sins: Namely, that he would bring back Heretics to the Communion of the Church, and that he would convert the Wicked from their Evil and irregular Lives to a sober and orderly Course of Life. Thirdly, By this Beatitude we are taught that those are blessed who are oppressed by the great and powerful Ones of the World, and unjustly despoiled of their Goods: Which Sufferings they may not endeavour to revenge, but with Bitterness of Heart and Mourning, pray to God for Deliverance and Safety, placing all their Hope and Confidence in God’s Mercy, which they shall receive together with abundance of Consolation, being therein rightly and truly Partakers of the divine Grace. Those also are comprehended in this Beatitude who are afflicted for the orthodox Faith and the Sake of the Church: Such are all Martyrs and the like.
Question 34
What is the third Beatitude?
Answer.
Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the Earth.
Question 35
What doth this Beatitude teach?
Answer.
This Beatitude teacheth us, First, That we should yield a ready and sincere Obedience, with this Virtue of Meekness and Humility, unto God and the Church of Christ, and also unto our Superiors, following the Example of our most meek Lord, Jesus Christ. And when we pay this Obedience unto our Superiors, we should propose within ourselves that it is to Christ and for his Sake. So we should also refer to Christ the Respect and Reverence which we show unto his Priests, our spiritual Pastors. Secondly, This Beatitude teacheth us that they are blessed who are not grievous or troublesome unto any Man; who do not rob any of their good Name, and are not Censurers and Condemners of others; but esteeming themselves as the meanest, are always ready to condemn their own Life and Actions, and think their own good Deeds to be vile and unworthy. However, if those whose Duty it is to reprove others should, through the Warmth of their Zeal, use some harsh Expressions in correcting a Sinner, not out of Contempt or Spitefulness, but for the Good of his spiritual Welfare, such an One is not, however, exempted from this Beatitude, seeing he doth that which is his Duty: As the Apostle teacheth (Gal. vi. 1), Brethren, if a Man be overtaken in a Fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an One in the Spirit of Meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. But if any one say that it is not possible for a mortal Man thus to quell his Anger, let such an One know that he ought not to pour out his Wrath and Anger on his Neighbour, but on the Devil, who is the Tempter and Instigator of Men to all Kind of Evil. Those, therefore, who are endued with this Virtue shall receive the promised Inheritance of the Earth, an Abundance of God’s Goodness in this Life, and eternal Happiness in that which is to come: According to the Scripture, which saith (Psal. xxvii. 15), I believe verily to see the Goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living.
Question 36
What is the fourth Beatitude?
Answer.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after Righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Question 37
What doth this Beatitude teach?
Answer.
It teacheth us that they are blessed who, having sustained an Injury, cannot obtain Redress from Justice, either because of their Religion or their Poverty; or for want of Health, or because they are Strangers; or for that their Adversary is too powerful, or through any other unjust Cause. Wherefore those who are set in the Seat of Justice, and whose Office it is to judge, ought to be most conscientious and careful that the Poor, the Widow, and the Orphan be not oppressed with unrighteous Judgment, remembering what the Scripture saith unto them (Isa. i. 17), Learn to do well, seek Judgment, relieve the Oppressed, Judge the Fatherless, plead for the Widow. Which Duties if they neglect, then those who suffer Oppression are said to hunger and thirst after Justice or Righteousness, and they are the Objects of this Beatitude. And unto these unjust Judges God will render severe Punishment: According to the Scripture (Psal. x. 19), Lord, thou hast heard the Desire of the Poor; thou preparest their Heart, and thine Ear hearkeneth thereunto. To help the Fatherless and Poor unto their Right, that the Man of the Earth be no more exalted against them.
Question 38
What is the fifth Beatitude?
Answer.
Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall receive Mercy.
Question 39
What doth this Beatitude teach us?
Answer.
That they are blessed who discharge the duties of Mercy.
Question 40
What are the Works of Mercy?
Answer.
The Works of Mercy are twofold, some regarding the Soul, and others relating to the Body (Theophylact on the 25th Chapter of Matthew).