"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Those who mourn are blessed, and shall be comforted.  But what kind of mourning, and mourning over what?  We might think of unnatural mourning, natural mourning and supernatural mourning.

Unnatural mourning would be mourning over the loss of riches, or mourning that we are not more powerful or influential.  Certainly this kind of mourning is not blessed nor is worthy of consolation.

Natural mourning would be mourning over the loss of a loved one.  We certainly  don't feel or sense that we are blessed when we mourn in this fashion.  Yet our Lord will comfort us even for this, as he tells us that "death will be no more, and God will wipe away our tears."

Supernatural mourning is mourning for our sins and for the lack of righteousness in the world.  This is the most fruitful kind of mourning for it is commended by Our Lord when he says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5.6)  He also commands us to weep for our sins when he says "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children." (Matthew 23.28)

So we mourn for our sinfulness and the lack of righteousness.  But it is not a despairing kind of mourning but rather a cleansing mourning whose effects can be seen even in this life.  Mourning for our sins we resolve to root them out of our lives.  Contrition leads to hope and resolution.  Mourning for injustices inspires us to work for change and to be salt in our daily situation.  Above all, mourning leads to utter confidence in our Father, who will make all things right and who will comfort us.