Wrong attitudes toward the Beatitudes

From the November 26, 2011 posting on Cyberdesert: 

 

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.

 

St. Maximos the Confessor (Third Century on Love: 46)
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