Catechism of the Catholic Church - A Layperson's View: Part 2
in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness'sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven . . . ." (Matthew 5:3-12a)
Here the Catechism quotes from St. Augustine. "We all want to live happily; in the whole human race there is no one who does not assent to this proposition, even before it is fully articulated. How is it, then, that I seek you, Lord? Since in seeking you, my God, I seek a happy life, let me seek you that my soul may live, for my body draws my life from my soul and my soul draws life from you. [1718]
To live in seeking God, the Catechism suggests four items that we should aspire to: "the coming of the Kingdom of God; the vision of God: 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God;' entering into the joy of the Lord; entering into God's rest." [1720] Again the Catechism quotes Augustine, "There we shall rest and see, we shall see and love, we shall love and praise. Behold what will be at the end without end. For what other end do we have, if not to reach the kingdom which has no end?" [1720]
The Beatitudes put us into direct conflict with modern consumer culture, current sexual mores, and pop psychology. The popularization of Maslow's hierarchy of needs (which puts spiritual "needs" as the the group of "needs" to be fulfilled last in our lives) has created a situation in which many persons will never even seek spiritual goals because of being busy with more and more fulfillment of physical and social goals. Jesus said, "But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33) "These
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