“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (11/7/2021)

(Note: this is the seventh in a series of 10 articles on the Beatitudes in Christian Life)

Of all the beatitudes, this particular one carries special meaning for me. The name I was given at birth and with which I was sealed in the Holy Spirit is Kathleen. My name is derived from the Greek word used in this very beatitude, Καθαρός, literally meaning “pure of heart.” All my life, I have seen my name as a “vocation,” and I have sought to grow into that name, not only because it is mine, but also because it is the “vocation” of every Christian.

Καθαρός, or katharos, the Greek word Matthew used when giving us Jesus’ teaching on the Mount, is a rich and deep word. It means not only pure, but also, sincere, genuine, unstained, free from corrupt desire, free from sin and guilt, free of falsehood. When I contemplate the word’s meaning and Jesus’ instruction for us, I truly see the will of the LORD for each of us. To me, katharos is our human manifestation of the image and likeness of the LORD.

The LORD created us in the “image and likeness” of the divine. While we are human, our vocation, our life calling, is to live that which we were created to be, holy and pure. It will take us our lifetime, but it is our vocation, the LORD’s call. Let us seek to live worthy of that call moment to moment, decision to decision.

To be pure in heart obviously is not easy. It will require of us constant prayer and perpetual vigilance, for in our world and within our human weaknesses, the temptations are numerous. We cannot dismiss this beatitude as easy; it is not easy. However, it is essential. As Jesus reminded us, we must seek to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy.

Let those of us on the way, seeking to give witness to Christ through our lives as well to love the LORD and one another, commit to praying for the gift of the Spirit to guide us on our journey and to help us to live with sincere and genuine love, to avoid sin and stay free of corrupt desires. Let us seek the LORD’s help always in realizing our vocations as Children of the LORD and disciples of Christ. Let us dedicate our lives to the LORD and strive to be pure in heart. And let us look forward to the reward for such spiritual endeavors, seeing the LORD through all eternity.

Until tomorrow, love well.