The first beatitudes focus more on a person’s sense of neediness: poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering and thirsting – someone needing salvation. Then the focus now seems to turn to the attitude or disposition of a Christian: blessed are the merciful, and blessed are the pure in heart.

The first beatitudes focus more on a person’s sense of neediness: poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering and thirsting – someone needing salvation. Then the focus now seems to turn to the attitude or disposition of a Christian: blessed are the merciful, and blessed are the pure in heart.