Purity of the heart

FROM THE PROLOGUE:

Frequently the agony that distinguishes worldly people in their daily struggle for survival is also experienced in the spiritual struggle undertaken the faithful Christians We often ask what God wishes of us and what it is that we lack, that we have lost our peace of mind. Is it more fasting and ascetic discipline, is it almsgiving, is it prayer? 

Of course all these virtues are needed, and we should strive to the best of our ability to attain them, but they are not the aim of the spiritual life. They should not be the ultimate goal of our struggle. For God asks nothing of us but a pure heart, that he may come and dwell in us. This is what Jesus Christ himself revealed to us when he blessed those who hearts are pure: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matt. 5:8) That I, those who have a pure heart are blessed and happy, because they will behold God!