Wrong Attitudes to the Beatitudes – St. Maximos the Confessor

“There are many people in the world who are poor in spirit, but not in the way that they should be;
there are many who mourn, but for some financial loss or the death of their children;
many are gentle, but towards unclean passions;
many hunger and thirst, but only to seize what does not belong to them and to profit from injustice;
many are merciful, but towards their bodies and the things that serve the body;
many are pure in heart, but for the sake of self-esteem;
many are peace-makers, but by making the soul submit to the flesh;
many are persecuted, but as wrongdoers;
many are reviled, but for shameful sins.”

— Saint Maximos the Confessor (Third Century on Love: 46)

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