When gazing from a great height upon an expansive ocean, the feelings that arise are akin to the thoughts that stir within me while contemplating the profound declaration of the Lord. From lofty heights, one observes a coastal mountain, appearing almost truncated, as if cleaved in two—a striking image where the summit leans precariously over the chasm below. In a similar manner, my soul is now turned inside out by the weight of this remarkable saying: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." It is through the purification of hearts that God becomes apprehensible to those willing to behold Him. Yet, John the beloved states, "No man hath seen God at any time" (John 1:18), and Paul, whose intellect is exalted above that of many, affirms, "But no man hath seen Him, nor can see Him" (1 Tim. 6:16). This enigmatic truth resembles a polished and incomprehensible stone, devoid of any evidence of the ascent of thought toward the Divine. Indeed, Moses, too, proclaimed that God's essence is beyond the reach of those who seek to impart the knowledge of Him—our minds cannot draw near due to an indomitable barrier that prohibits full comprehension. For Moses expressed poignantly, "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live" (Ex. 33:20). Nevertheless, to behold God constitutes eternal life, a reality recognized by the pillars of faith—John, Paul, and Moses—who unanimously acknowledge its unattainability!
Can you sense the whirlwind drawing the soul into the depths of the revelation contained in this phrase? If God embodies life, then those who cannot perceive Him are deprived of true existence. The prophets and apostles, bearing witness, assert the impossibility of truly seeing God. On what basis can human hope stand? Yet, the Lord breathes life into our faltering hopes, as He did for Peter sinking in the waves, by restoring him to solid footing upon the water. Thus, if the hand of the Word reaches toward us, even those whose minds are in turmoil can be anchored in the solid foundation of truth, fearless as we hold fast to the guiding Word. For the promise is declared: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." This assurance transcends all boundaries of joy, for after receiving such immense gifts, can one desire anything more than the fulfillment of having seen and possessing all things? In scriptural terms, to see is synonymous with possessing; for instance, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalms 133:1), translating to "You shall find good things." Furthermore, when the psalmist warns, "Let the wicked be turned to hell, and all the nations that forget God" (Psalms 9:17), the implication is a direct correlation to the sharing of divine glory.
In seeing God, one thus lays claim to every aspect of blessing: endless life, perpetual incorruption, bliss that abides forever, a sovereign kingdom, uninterrupted joy, true illumination, spiritual nourishment, unapproachable glory, and every good gift. This promise, rich and overflowing, builds hope upon hope. Yet, since seeing the Lord requires a prior condition of a pure heart, my thoughts weary at the notion that such purity might lie beyond our reach. If indeed God can only be seen in such a manner, and the likes of Moses and Paul have failed to grasp His essence whilst asserting that no mortals can, then this statement within the beatitudes appears to offer a hope that is ultimately hollow. What benefit can there be to understanding how to perceive God if comprehension is inherently unattainable? It is as if one were to find heaven desirable, knowing one will behold that which eludes us in this life. If the means to ascend were clearly delineated in scripture, it would resonate with our yearning to recognize the blessedness of heaven. However, the impossibility of ascent renders such knowledge burdensome, revealing only the depth of deprivation that remains inexorably out of reach. Therefore, does the Lord issue commands that surpass human capacity and exceed divine expectations? Certainly not. He does not instruct those who were not created to fly to sprout wings, nor does He demand that those made for the land take to the depths of the sea.
If the law aligns with the capabilities of those who receive it, granting no supernatural burdens, we can indeed understand that the promise of bliss retains an element of hope. Neither John, nor Paul, nor Moses, nor anyone resembling them, can be deprived of this lofty bliss of beholding God's presence, nor can any who profess, "There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day" (2 Tim. 4:8). Therefore, there should be no doubt that those proclaiming God's incomprehensibility hold a blessed state. Blessedness lies in seeing God, which is granted to the pure in heart; hence, purity of heart is achievable, allowing for blessedness. So, how can it be that those who expound that comprehending God is beyond our power align with Paul's truth, while not being at odds with the Lord's promise that the pure in heart shall behold Him?
It seems appropriate to clarify our understanding sequentially. The essence of God transcends every capacity for comprehension, remaining inaccessible to human speculation and beyond any earthly analogy. No human ability thus far has discovered a means to grasp the inconceivable nature of the Divine. The Apostle rightly asserts that the depths of God's wisdom are unsearchable (Rom. 11:33), indicating that the route leading to knowledge of God's essence is one on which human thoughts falter, with none having marked its path in prior generations.
Yet, while inherently incomprehensible, He who is superior to all nature may be perceived and understood through various avenues. By observing the evident wisdom of the universe, one can glimpse the Creator’s handiwork; similarly, just as one discerns an artist’s skill in their creations without fully grasping their nature, we too may recognize God’s wisdom reflected in the world's beauty. When we recognize that God voluntarily created humanity, rather than doing so out of necessity, we come to know Him in goodness, albeit still not grasping His essence directly. The qualities of might, purity, immutability, and all divine attributes reflect God's nature and imprint our souls with a glimpse of the transcendent.
Thus, the Lord’s assertion stands true: "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." Paul does not contradict himself in stating no one has seen or can see God. The Invisible One becomes visible in His actions and through the effects seen in creation. The intent of this beatitude transcends mere reasoning devoid of action. Even those considered wise in this world may grasp a semblance of superior wisdom and power. However, the profundity of blessedness offers much to those who are receptive, revealing what they truly seek.
To illustrate this, let us consider health in our corporeal existence. While understanding health is good, living in health is truly blessed. One might praise health while consuming detrimental substances, leading to illness; this renders the knowledge of health meaningless to the afflicted. Similarly, when the Lord, who encompasses all goodness, deems blessed those with pure hearts, it is not mere intellectual knowledge of God they possess, but a tangible experience. The height of His truth suggests that the purity of heart, unmarred by worldly desires and attachments, unveils the essence of God's nature within us.
And so, we find the teaching encapsulated thus: those yearning to perceive what is truly good must not allow feelings of hopelessness to prevail, even when confronted with God's vastness and ineffable glory. For within you resides the capacity to comprehend God, having been imprinted with divine goodness in your very being. However, the stains of vice obscure this innate likeness. Thus, if you cleanse your heart from these impurities, the divine beauty will shine forth. Much like iron, returning to brilliance when its rust is removed, the inner man—the heart—when cleared of sinful darkness, exhibits the likeness of the original image. As one glances into a mirror reflecting the sun, they see its brilliance even if they cannot gaze directly at the sky. In the same way, the Lord invites you to realize that though you may lack the strength to behold Him directly, returning to your original grace—imparted at creation—will bring forth the fulfillment of your longing.
Purity, freedom from passions, and detachment from all evil are hallmarks of divinity. When you embody these virtues, you become a vessel of God’s presence. With a mind liberated from sin and a heart untainted by vice, you are blessed in your vision; having purified yourself, you witness the Invisible—an insight denied to those unclean in heart—enabling you to discern the blessedness that lies in the divine realm. What precisely constitutes this vision? Purity, sanctity, simplicity, and the radiant imprints of the Divine Nature itself. The evidence of this assertion is found in the very words spoken.
Nonetheless, we return to the original dilemma. If it is universally accepted that those in heaven partake of celestial marvels, the impossibility of ascending there renders this agreement hollow. A cleansed heart undoubtedly fosters blessedness, but the challenge of achieving that purification resembles the arduous journey to heaven. Is there any Jacob's ladder, any fiery chariot akin to that which transported Elijah, that might carry our hearts toward heavenly wonders while shedding the burdens of earthly existence? Those grappling with the inner struggles of the soul find it immensely arduous—almost unattainable—to liberate themselves from the pains inherently woven into human nature.
Life begins with suffering, and it persists throughout our days, ultimately culminating in more suffering; a state birthed from the very disobedience that introduced sin into the world. Consequently, just as the cycle of each species perpetuates its kind, sin begets sin. The nature of human birth is thus intertwined with a legacy of shortcomings, marking the life of each individual from infancy to the final breath. In contrast, virtues remain elusive; so numerous are the labors required to attain righteousness that those who strive desperately recognize its difficulty. Scripture highlights this, noting the path to the Kingdom is a narrow one, while the road to destruction is broad, frequently trod upon.
However, the sublime life is not wholly unattainable, as evidenced by the many extraordinary acts of faith documented in sacred texts. The promise contained within the notion of seeing God bears significance on two levels: one level is to know the supreme nature, and the other to be united with Him through purity of heart. According to the saints, the first understanding is indeed deemed impossible, yet the latter is graciously promised to humankind by the Lord in the teaching, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." The means by which purity is attained can be gleaned from the teachings that Jesus conveyed, particularly as He outlines the path to heart purification with clarity.
The Lord distinguishes between two types of vices: those manifest in deeds and those existing in thought. The former, observable unrighteousness, faced punishment under the law, while His new covenant shifts focus towards thwarting the inception of sin. Eliminating vice at the will level surpasses merely avoiding the commission of immoral acts. As vices manifest in many forms, the Lord prescribes remedies fitting to each prohibited action. Notably, as anger typically surfaces in human experience, He first addresses that predominant fault by calling for the eradication of unjust anger (Matthew 5:21, 22). He does not entirely abolish anger, as it can sometimes serve virtuous ends, but He mandates that hatred towards a brother be sinless, cautioning, "Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment."
THEOSIS