"Happy the pure in heart: they shall see God" In this Beatitude, those who attain and maintain a pure heart, who let nothing come between themselves and God, are promised the vision of God. Matthew's thought moves from purity to vision: the greatness of purity of heart in this life is seen from the promised reward.

John teaches the same doctrine, but he reverses the order. Where Matthew moves from the task of purification to the gift of vision, John moves from the hope of vision to the task of purifying the heart. If we hope to attain the promised vision of God, we must take responsibility for our purity of heart.

Task and gift are linked together in the lives of the saints. Holiness is a gift from God, but the gift implies a task. Faithful to God's grace, saints bend to the task of fostering that grace. For no gift of God is imposed: we must actively and courageously, reach out to receive the gift.