Pure in Heart

Reading the beatitudes this morning, one stood out more than the others: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

I was drawn to the word pure, which in Greek is transliterated as katharos. This word of course means to be pure, clean, and undefiled. Interestingly, the word is also used as a similitude for describing a vine which has been pruned and thus fitted to bear fruit.

Blessed are those who are fitted to bear fruit, for they shall see God (my translation).

After reading through the definition, I remembered Jesus' teaching in John about the vinedresser. Jesus explains in John 15 that the Father is the vinedresser. He prunes the vines so that they may bear more fruit.

Pruning the vine is something supernatural. The beatitudes are about supernatural living. Being pure in heart is only something that God can do in you and me. Being poor in spirit is the realization that we need God in our lives. It is only when we realize our need for God and when we position ourselves for God to transform us that we allow God to prune away the things that do not bear fruit. By allowing God to prune, we are able to fully experience a pure heart and, as a result, see God in it.