Saint Augustine and the Third Beatitude

"Note the third saying: 'Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.' The labor consists in mourning; consolation is the reward. But, what kind of consolations do they have who mourn according to the flesh? They have troublesome and frightening consolations, for the mourner is consoled by the very thing which he fears may cause him to morn again. For instance, the death of a son brings grief to the father, and the birth of another son brings him joy; he has borne one son to the grave, and he has received another into the world; he is in sorrow for the one, and in fear for the other. Therefore, he has consolation in neither one nor the other. The true consolation will be that which gives what will never be lost. Consequently, those who mourn their present pilgrimage may rejoice in the fact that they shall have consolation hereafter."

Saint Augustine and the second Beatitude

"Give heed to the following: 'Blessed are the meek,' says He, 'for by inheritance they shall possess the earth.' You wish to possess the earth now; then see to it that you are not possessed by the earth. If you are meek, you will possess it; if you are not meek, it will possess you. So, when you hear that possessing the earth is the profferred reward, do not spread the cloak of avarice by wishing to possess it now, to the very exclusion of your neighbor. Let no such notion deceive you, for you will truly possess the earth when you cleave to Him who has made both heaven and earth. To be humble means to be so submissive to God that you seek to please Him--not yourself--in all your good works, and that you are displeased with yourself--and not with Him--in whatever ills you suffer. It is no small matter to please God while displeasing yourself, but you will displease Him if you please yourself."

Saint Augustine, On the Beatitudes

"Surely, we can find no one who does not wish to be blessed. Would that men were as willing to fulfill the condition as they are eager to obtain the reward! Is there anyone who would not run with alacrity when it is said to him: 'You shall be blessed'? Then, let everyone lend a willing ear when the condition is announced: 'If you do this.' If one loves the reward, let reward enkindle the mind to alacrity in the labor. What we wish for, what we desire, what we are seeking--all that is here and now. So begin to reflect on the divine sayings--both the precepts and the rewards of the Gospel: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' Be poor in spirit now, and the kingdom of heaven will be yours afterwards. Do you wish the kingdom of heaven to be yours hereafter? See to what kingdom you belong now. But, you may ask me: 'What does it mean to be poor in spirit?' Whoever is puffed up is not poor in spirit. Therefore, the poor in spirit is the humble man. The kingdom of heaven is on high, but 'he that humbles himself shall be exalted.'"