The soul gives life to the body

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5: 1-12)

It is the soul in man that gives life to the body and not vice versa. Those who are called "blessed" by Jesus are those who have understood that the first virtue common to all the beatitudes is poverty in spirit. By this Jesus means humility, when man is aware of his limitations and thus adores God and no longer himself. Only in this way can we be ready to face all forms of persecution so as to remain faithful to God.