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Ted;841386]jester
It is possible in 5:4 that Matt.'s Jesus is referring to those who have lost loved ones. It is equally possible that "it may describe those bewail the present state of affairs in God's world and long for the coming of the new age." pg. 615, "The Interpreters' One Volume . . .". This would be more in keeping with the first Beatitude.
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I concur wholeheartedly, this passage is very much inexhaustible in its application. The mourning can be for any item that there is an ability to truly mourn for, there is a limitation though I'd assume based on the abilty to comfort, God isnt going to comfort one who rejects him, in fact I think we can clearly demonstrate that one who rejects God cannot truly mourn for his own soul, that is of course until its too late.
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Your comment on the meek being those who basically recognize their own limitations and thus accept their dependence on God I think is correct
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I knew when we sat down to compare we'd find common ground in some places, glad that was true!
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Luke uses only the term "hunger" referring to those who were then hungering. Matt. added "and thirst for righteousness". This would seem to suggest that the one who shows righteousness in holy living will ultimately inherit that kingdom that all hope for. Righteousness is not about right or correct belief but about our relationship with God.
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Righteosness is a judgement by God alone, it does have a component of works, but it is accepted by faith first through the grace of Jesus Christ, and demonstrated in the beliver by works as a natural outlet of loving God, those who love him keep his commandments. So in a sense you are correct, but I imagine not in the sense you had intended.
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As far as the comment about the "poor" Jesus whole mission seems to have been about the poor and the oppressed and the downtrodden. The parable of the wedding feast shows the master inviting those from the streets; the street people. He was exceedingly concerned about the impoverished. Looking up kingdom in a concordance will clearly show there are many verses that indicate that Jesus came to the poor the oppressed etc.
Re the kingdom: Matt.3:2; 4:17; 10:7;12:28; Mark 1:15; Luke 10:9, 11; 11:20; 17:20-21. There are of course dozens of others but the indication is that the kingdom has already arrived. It is here, now. It is up to us to discover it.
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Agreed as well, however I do know you and I would disagree at how and what his kingdom is in its current form and what the future form will look like.