As we continue, realize the words our blessed Lord is telling us here were not meant just for the disciples, a specific class, race, or gender, a type of society, or religious sector, but for the entire human race. “Our Lord Jesus Christ preached the good news to all without distinction. One cooking pot and only one kind of food: ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.’ [1] He calls each and every one to holiness. He asks each and every one - young and old, single and married, healthy and sick, learned and unlearned, no matter where they work or where they are - to love him.” [2]
 
Since Christ is calling us we must take up that call and follow him. We must do whatever it takes. We cannot make excuses, “we cannot say to Our Lord: ‘Wait until I have solved this problem!’ or ‘Give me until I have recovered from this illness!’ or “Hold on until I am no longer suffering calumny or persecution, then I will really begin to seek holiness!’ We would be sadly mistaken not to make best use of these difficult circumstances to unite ourselves more closely to God.” [3]
 
V “Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be theirs”
Mercy is the compassion and/or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. God shows us great mercy when we sin against Him. Christ instructs us to do the same with our neighbor.
 
Quick Reflection:
Do I assist the poor according to their means? Do I practice every possible spiritual and corporal work of mercy? Do I patiently endure the faults of others? Do I strive to excuse them and willingly forgive them of their faults? [4]
 
The greatest rewards are awarded to one who is merciful because God will be merciful. However, a judgment without mercy shall be passed on the unmerciful. [5]
 
Avarice is greed, the selfish reach to grab and keep for oneself (the opposite of mercy, which is the reach to give, to share with others, even the undeserving). [6]  Justice is to give to others what they are due, what they deserve.  Mercy is when we give to those who are do not deserve of our forgiveness. The practice of mercy is to constantly look beyond what we want or what we deserve, and to be conscious of what we can do for others, whether we feel they are deserving or not.  For example, if a homeless man asks us for money, we do not have time to question him, and decide whether he is deserving of our money or not. 
 
Let us remember the words of the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In this Beatitude, Jesus promises us that those who are merciful will be treated mercifully.
 
VI “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.”
Jesus is referencing Psalm 24 and 42, “whose heart is clean” shall have the joy of “beholding His face.” In the Old Testament this meant being with God in the temple. Christ is telling his followers and us we will see God face to face in His kingdom. [7]
 
Being “clean of heart” means those who carefully preserve their innocence received in Baptism. They keep their hearts and consciences free not only from all sinful words and deeds, but also from all sinful thoughts and desires, and in all their omissions and commissions think and desire only good. [8] If someone has lost this cleanness of heart, one must go to the Sacrament of Confession to purify and clean one’s heart and soul, then work to clean the mind as well.
 
During the Stations of the Cross we meditate on our souls, made clean by Baptism, but then disfigured by sin.  Thank God, through the merits of Jesus, we can be made clean and as the Psalm says, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” [9] We know that we can achieve a clean heart through Christ’s suffering and death, which wash away our sins. “My beloved Jesus, Your face was beautiful before you began this journey; but, now, it no longer appears beautiful, and is disfigured with wounds and blood. Alas, my soul also was once beautiful when it received your grace in Baptism; but I have since disfigured it with my sins.  You alone, my Redeemer, can restore it to its former beauty. Do this by the merits of your passion; and then do with me as you will.” [10]
 
For if one does keep their heart clean, they will see God in all His works here in this world, because their thoughts are directed always to the Highest Good, and in the other world they will see Him face to face, enjoying in his splendor which is reserved for pure souls only. [11]
 
Lust dissipates and divides the soul, desiring every attractive body; this is the opposite of purity of heart, which centers and unifies the soul desiring the one God alone. [12] The lustful heart forgets the goal of seeking the face of God, which satisfies eternally and instead seeks whatever will temporality satisfy. Lust cannot wait to get while love can always wait to give.
 
VII “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called children of God.”
Peacemakers are not just the ones who help others as a third party, but are able to bring peace within their own souls. Those who guard their improper desires, who are careful to have peace in their conscience and regulate tranquility in all their actions, who do not quarrel with their neighbors, and are submissive to the will of God are children of God, because they follow God who is a God of peace [13], and who even gave His only Son to reconcile the world, and bring upon earth that peace which the world does not know and cannot give [14]. [15]
 
Wrath [Anger] wills harm and destruction (the opposite of peacemaking, which prevents destruction). [16]  The worst destruction is the destruction not of a temporal thing, but the destruction of the soul.  Jesus warns us that, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” [17] Peacemakers prevent destruction, we should be concerned and be on guard the neither our soul or the souls around us are destroyed.  Preservation of the soul brings peace. 
 
VIII “Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
As St. Paul wrote to Timothy, “...all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.” [18] By suffering persecution, means by their words, writings, or their very life defending the truth, the faith, and Christian virtues, and suffer hatred, contempt, disgrace, injury, and injustice from the world. [19] By doing this, we will receive the crown of the saints. If we endure all this with patience and perseverance, then we become like the saints, and thus like the saints receive are heavenly reward.

Gluttony wants to consume an inordinate amount of worldly goods (the opposite of being persecuted, which is to be deprived of even ordinate necessities). [20]
 
We are deprived of goods each day.  Many people know that they will be deprived of money due to taxes, food, and basic necessities. So they want to consume an inordinate amount of goods just in case goods are taken away.  How does the pursuit of worldly goods, sometimes become more of a priority than faith and morals?  Someone could work so much to obtain goods and security, that they neglect their religion and neglect their family and friends.  A married couple could not want children out of the fear that they will not be secure or have the worldly goods they desire.  A Christian under attack for their faith may deny their faith and morals out of fear of losing their life or even loosing popularity.

[1] John 4:34
[2] J. Escriva, Friends of God, 294
[3] Fr. Francis Fernandez; In Conversation with God Vol. 3; 25.1
[4] The Church’s Year pg. 721-722
[5] The Church’s Year pg. 722
[6] Peter Kreeft; Catholic Christianity; page 199
[7] New American Bible note to Mt. 5:8
[8] The Church’s Year pg. 722
[9] Psalm 51:7
[10] St. Alphonsus Liguori; Stations of the Cross; The Sixth Station
[11] The Church’s Year pg. 722
[12] Peter Kreeft; Catholic Christianity; page 199
[13] Rom. 15:33
[14] Lk. 2:14; Jn. 14:27
[15] The Church’s Year pg. 722
[16] Peter Kreeft; Catholic Christianity; page 199
[17] John 10:10
[18] 2 Tim. 3:12
[19] The Church’s Year pg. 722
[20] Peter Kreeft; Catholic Christianity; page 199