ACC ~ Matthew 5 v4

MOURNING UNREPENTED SIN

JEROME: The mourning discussed here does not concern the common natural law of the dead but rather their sins and vices. Thus Samuel grieved over Saul, [1] and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. [2] Also Paul the apostle says that he wept and mourned over those who, after committing fornication and impure deeds, did not feel the need of repentance. [3] COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.5.4. [4]

[1] 1 Sam 15:11.

[2] 1 Sam 15:35.

[3] 2 Cor 12:21.

[4] CCL 77:24-25.

MOURNING THE SINS OF THE WORLD

CHROMATIUS: As with Jesus’ earlier teaching on the poor, here too he speaks of those who mourn. The blessed of whom he speaks are not those bereaving the death of a spouse or the loss of cherished servants. Rather, he is speaking of those blessed persons who … do not cease to mourn over the iniquity of the world or the offenses of sinners with a pious, duty-bound sentiment. To those who mourn righteously, therefore, they will receive, and not undeservedly, the consolation of eternal rejoicing promised by the Lord. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 17.3.1-2. [1]

[1] CCL 9a:271.

A GREATER BLESSEDNESS

ANONYMOUS: Those who mourn their own sins are indeed blessed, but blessed in a less wonderful way than those who mourn the sins of others. Those who mourn the sins of others are less likely to have sins of their own to mourn. These are the ones who should be called teachers. They are with the Lord on the mountain. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 9. [1]

[1] PG 56:681.

INTENSE GRIEF OVER SIN

CHRYSOSTOM: He calls blessed even those who mourn. Their sorrow is of a special kind. He did not designate them simply as sad but as intensely grieving. Therefore he did not say “they that sorrow” but “they that mourn.” This Beatitude is designed to draw believers toward a Christian disposition. Those who grieve for someone else—their child or wife or any other lost relation—have no fondness for gain or pleasure during the period of their sorrow. They do not aim at glory. They are not provoked by insults nor led captive by envy nor beset by any other passion. Their grief alone occupies the whole of their attention. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 15.3. [1]

[1] PG 57:225-26; NPNF 1 10:93**.

MOURNERS TO BE COMFORTED

ANONYMOUS: Those who mourn receive comfort when the pain of mourning ceases. Those who mourn over their own sins and have obtained forgiveness shall be comforted in this world. Those who mourn over the sins of others will be comforted in the future age to come. As long as they are in the world, not knowing the outcomes of God’s providence and not fully understanding those who have fallen under the sway of the devil’s influence, they mourn over all sinners, even those who without evil intention yet do evil. They see all sinners as buffeted by the devil. They clearly see that God’s own cannot perish and those who perish are not of God. No one can escape from the hands of God. Once their mourning has ended, however, they shall be comforted. Without further suffering, they shall rejoice in their blessedness. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 9. [1]

[1] PG 56:681.