Beatitudes, generally

Taking a step back and looking at the beatitudes in general, I have heard that the first four are more applicable to people outside of faith.  In contrast, the second group of four are more applicable to those who have embraced the Christian faith.

I think that is a fair analysis, but caution should be taken with it.

First, the text does not state that one group of beatitudes applies to some people and the second group applies to another.  Rather, it takes someone is already taking the time to analyze the text to read of them at all.

More importantly, it would be unwise for people who think they are mature in faith to think that they have no need for meekness or to hunger for their own righteousness, they will never mourn, or will ever be empty of spirit.  That mentality would easily give rise to stagnation of one's relationship with God, self-righteousness, or self-importance.  This would lead to blind spots in our lives and damage relationships.

Rather, we are called to be like children.  Humility and meekness go hand in hand with the Christian experience.

So, I do think that the first four are more applicable to people new to faith than the later four beatitude.  This does not exclude the first four for those more mature in faith.  Rather, I think maturity is considering whether any of the full list of eight apply to person.

Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6)

A few things come to my mind while reading this.

First, it does not state whose righteousness we should hunger and thirst for.  That leads two options, our own righteousness, or the righteousness of others.

By others, I mean it could be on any level outside of our own selves - family, communal, church, national, or global.  Good examples of this would prayer for our enemies (Matthew 5:44) our political leaders ("kings and those in authority", 1 Timothy 2:2) and our spiritual leaders ("pray for us", 1 Thessalonians 5:25).

Either way, it is the hunger and thirst for it that leads to being filled.

Second, it is also interesting to use the verbs "hunger" and "thirst".  This connotes an awareness of an emptiness of righteousness.  This awareness alone affects the person in such a way that they consider themselves "hungering" or "thirsting" for it.

It also does not clarify how a person will be filled as a consequence of this hunger and thirst.  If we examine through the ideas that the righteousness might apply to ourselves or others, then this might affect the fulfillment.

Regardless if it is internal or external righteousness, it is internal fulfillment that is the result.  If it is our own righteousness that we hunger and thirst for, then we can identify our own righteousness as being what fills us up.  Alternatively, if it is external righteousness we seek, we still must look for an internal fulfillment, because the external people have free will and prayer for them is not guarantee of any result.  So, this can only from Christ.