One of the many interesting points about the Beatitudes is that each condition mentioned, is described as being blessed in the present rather than in the future. In the second beatitude Jesus' striking statement, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted," surely implies by the use of the word "are" that such a state of blessedness is here and now available for such as mourn. Today the world seems full of mourners—mourners for the loss of dear ones, of happy homes, peacetime comforts, and companions. But how many of these sorrowing ones appreciate that now are they blessed? Now can they claim and realize Christ Jesus' promise, "For they shall be comforted."
On page 468 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes: "There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all." Man's only real life, his only true happiness and existence are therefore to be found in his expression of God, infinite Mind, who is ever-present Love and all-gracious Spirit. As these truths dawn on consciousness, it becomes apparent that no life, no happiness, no existence, could ever be established in or of matter. Surely then the only thing that can ever be lost is a false sense—false because matter never has or could have any real state of being. This false sense of being is therefore the only thing for which we can ever mourn, and as we allow Truth to change it to a blessed state of consciousness, we find comfort in every respect, including the necessary human comfort.
Such a lesson was once learned by the writer when he found himself compelled to take a step which meant the loss of a happy home, the very thought of which caused him much distress. Realizing that there was something wrong in his thinking, he sought a Christian Science practitioner, who lovingly pointed out that as a child of God he was forever governed by Principle, and that his need was to draw nearer to this Principle in his thinking. He saw that any step he might be led to take should be seen as an opportunity for growth in his understanding of God as divine Principle, Love, forever governing, guarding, and guiding all His ideas. With these thoughts, he quickly realized that if the change he proposed to make was the result of right thinking only blessedness and a better sense of real spiritual happiness could follow. Immediately he found himself rejoicing, and at peace, and in a short time the necessary human footsteps were taken which resulted in an improved and freer home condition.
