During the General Audience, the pope reflected on the second beatitude. He said it is important to weep out of contrition, not out of pride.
The pope said there are two types of sorrow. One is the pain one feels in front of other people's suffering. The other is mourning for one's sins.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S HOMILY
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In our continuing catechesis on the Beatitudes, we now turn to the second proclamation: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Mt 5:4). Such mourning – described by the desert Fathers with the Greek word “penthos” – is more than mere grief. It is an interior sorrow that can open us to an authentic relationship with the Lord and with each other.
The Bible speaks of two types of such sorrow. The first is the pain we feel when faced with the suffering or death of our brothers and sisters. The second involves mourning for sin. Both are grounded in loving concern for others, but above all in love for God. Sorrow for sin – as seen in St. Peter’s tears after his betrayal of Jesus – comes as a gift of the Holy Spirit the Comforter. Let us continually ask for the grace to grieve for our sins and to be open to the healing grace of the Spirit, so that we can comfort others with the same consolation that we ourselves have received.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from England, Ireland, Japan and the United States of America. Upon all of you and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless you!
Claudia Torres
