Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
“No life
Can be pure in its purpose and
Strong in its strife
And all life not be purer and
Stronger thereby.”
Blessed means happy. It seems strange indeed to hear our Master say “Happy are they which are persecuted.” Of course He did not mean to say that persecution is pleasant, that it gives delight to the feelings and sensibilities. He had in His mind a deeper thought of happiness than the men and women of the world have in their eager quest. It is heaven’s conception of happiness that is folded up in this word blessed. It is a happiness which has no sorrow mingled in it, no thorns in its pillow, no poison in its cup. It is not surface happiness, for to men’s eyes the happy are they who are the world’s favorites, while those who are hated, hunted and harried, men pity.
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