Rose,
I think the beatitudes are the endpoints of the virtues. I think Our Lord was calling us to allow the full Divinization of ourselves, including our most basic drives and psychological dynamics. I think when these are corrupted by selfishness and sin, they are the vices. But, I when we are divinized by Christ and His grace, there are the virtues. And, the virtues, in turn, produce the beatitudes.
Yet, Christ did not spend time on all of that discussion.
Instead, He simply laid out the goal of what our human qualities can be and should be in a Divinized life; therein is also the means to do so. So, for example, you wrote
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" means that those who are pure in heart will see God in all His works, in all persons we encounter, and in all our surroundings. I find this fascinating as it never entered my poor mind that this saying does not only refer to a heavenly reward, but also an earthly reward.
I agree. I think the earthly reward is the foretaste of heaven that the life in Christ --by His life in us and in everyone and in everything-- gives to us. And that is accomplished, with the grace of God, by being pure in heart.
Please don't leave the Forum. Maybe people weren't as interested in this topic as you were. I know what that is like. But, it is still good to meet and share and communicate and support each other by our prayers.
-- John
, someone will help me out with this topic 
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