What is to be observed, so as to understand this teaching rightly?
The Lord proposed in these sentences a teaching on how blessedness is attained, not in the form of commandments and warnings, but in the form of blessing upon those who receive it in faith. In each Beatitude, we must therefore consider, first, the doctrine or precept implied; and secondly, the blessing or promise of reward.
It is also important to notice that the Lord himself, together with his most pure Mother, perfectly fulfilled the Beatitudes: they are a path of discipleship, as St James teaches: “Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… the one who gazes into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, not as a hearer who forgets, but as a doer who acts, shall be blessed in his doing” (Jas 1:21–25).
