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Greek Orthodox Catechism
Constantine Callinicos, London, 1926
Part II. Ethical, 28. The Sermon on the Mount
And now tell me: with what qualities does Christ, in the first part of His Sermon, wish His followers to be endowed?
While the world considers as happy those who are proud, vainglorious, ostentatious, hilarious, prosperous in material riches, noisy, masters of their fellows and applauded by the public, Christ declares that His followers must be adorned with such moral qualities and excellences as humility, contrition, meekness, hunger and thirst after righteousness, mercy, love of peace, patience under insults and persecutions and martyrdom for the sake of the kingdom of God. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” says He: “for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven.”
And how does our Lord outline the relation of His followers towards the world they live in?
As the relation of salt to food, which, without salt, cannot be preserved or have any taste; as the relation of the lamp towards the house, which, without the lamp, is plunged in darkness; and as the relation of a town built on an eminence towards its lower surroundings, which gaze upon it as though with admiration: “Ye are,” says He, “the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”