Guardian of a Pure Heart

"Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God" (Mt 5:8). What a wonderful promise God has made to those who seek Him sincerely in this life! But what precisely does this mean? This work examines the specific nature of the relationship between the requirement for seeing God (purity of heart) and the ultimate reward (the Beatific Vision) demonstrating that St. Augustine's understanding of who Christ is for each and everyone of us requires a change of heart on our part that is true, habitual, lasting and sanctifying. To understand Sugustine's thought requires a close reading and analysis of the many passages from several of his writings in which he discusses the relationship between purity of heart and the vision of God. His thought underlies much of the teaching of Pope BEnedict XVI in his most recent talks. It is clearly an aid to understanding much of what the Holy Father has to say in a practical way about how each one of us can draw closer to God in this world so as to be prepared for the happiness which awaits us all when we encounter Him face to face in the world to come.