The message Jesus was conveying with these words, often referred to as the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizes the blessings and virtues of humility, righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking. The correct choice reflecting the overarching theme of the Beatitudes is:
c. mercy and sympathy for the poor and helpless
This reflects the values of compassion, humility, and the promise of spiritual fulfillment for those who embody these qualities, aligning with the idea that those who are often overlooked or marginalized are valued and blessed in God's eyes.