Holy Mourning

Post praedictionem hujus felicissimae paupertatis, addidit Dominus, dicens: 'Beati qui lugent, quoniam ipsi consolabuntur. Luctus hic, dilectissimi, cui consolatio aeterna promittitur, non est cum mundi hujus afflictione communis; nec beatum quemquam faciunt ista lamenta quae totius humani generis deploratione funduntur. Alia ratio est sanctorum gemituum, alia beatarum causa lacrymarum. Religiosa tristitia aut alienum peccatum luget aut proprium; nec de hoc dolet quod divina justitia agitur, sed de eo moeret quod humana iniquitate committitur; ubi magis plangendus est faciens maligna quam patiens, quia injustum malitia sua demergit ad poenam, justum autem tolerantia ducit ad gloriam.  Sanctus Leo Magnus, Sermo XCV

After the assertion of this most happy poverty, the Lord continued, saying, 'Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted .' 1 This mourning, beloved, to which eternal consolation is promised, is not like the affliction of this world, nor do those laments which are poured out in the sorrowing of the whole human race make anyone blessed. There is another reason for the groaning of the holy, another cause of blessed tears. Religious grief mourns sin, either that of others' or one's own. It does not mourn that which is done by Divine justice but it grieves over that which is committed by human iniquity, where more to be deplored is he who does wrong than he who suffers it, because the wickedness of the unrighteous plunges him into punishment, but the endurance of the righteous leads to glory. Pope Leo the Great, Sermon 95 1 Mt 5:5