I have become very anxious in recent weeks. The terrible storms, friends with terrible stories of the culture impacting their lives, and the problems of old age—constipation, weakness, and pains. Yet my doctor said I am in great health, and my spiritual director notes that I am most blessed. It was he, however, who suggested that this might be the work of the evil one --- “Don’t give in. Trust. Pray to St. Theresa of Calcutta, who saw no answers to her prayers, only pain and suffering all around --- yet trusted, and loved those in need.”
Then my ex- contacted me with a minor need, and then told me of the solutions her nutritionist recommended to her, for similar physical problems. I tried them and things do seem to have improved somewhat. And I prayed to St Theresa to intercede for me, for the grace and strength to do His will. No matter how hard. And trust. (And later, my confessor mentioned Psalm 27).
The Catechism in a Year broadcast this week covered the New Law brought by Christ, and its meaning. But it was the words of Paragraph 1967 that jumped into my heart:
“In the Beatitudes, the New Law fulfills the divine promises by elevating and orienting them toward the kingdom of heaven. It is addressed to those open to accepting the new hope with faith --- the poor, the humble, the afflicted, the pure of heart, those persecuted on account of Christ --- and so marks out the surprising ways of the kingdom.”
Remember, Jesus said how God loves the poor, the suffering and His little children: “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The catechism is speaking to that in Paragraph 1967. And so, I’ve always tried to love those people as He would. But I remember also that He said; “It is hard for a rich man to gain eternal life.” Oh, I am not rich, but compared to the world, no one in this country is poor, so I try to use the talents and resources He has blessed me with as I believe He’d want me to, and then trust I’ll be one of those rich men who DO get to heaven. But then I read those words of the teachings of the Catholic Church in the catechism above, “It is addressed to ….” Did you get that? The New Law, the teaching of Jesus, is addressed to the poor, the humble, the afflicted, the pure of heart, those persecuted on account of Christ.” Jesus did come for the rich also, but having most everything they wanted, they were not very open to His words of change. Do you think there were many rich people among the 5000 He fed on the mount? Those words of the catechism are addressed to me and you. They’re not mentioned much in churches, because we also have most everything we want, and we don’t want to hear those words. But we are the rich people, for whom it is hard to get to heaven. And in recent years we are more self-centered than ever. But the catechism says as Catholics we need to become, in our hearts and ways, as those poor people whom we usually look down on. Our priority in the world needs to become as theirs is. Happiness in the world is not what we were born for, but eternal life.
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I read meditation 300 in the Divine Intimacy book. It’s titled “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit.” Matthew 5:3 notes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It’s one of the Beatitudes, which are often described as Jesus’ summary of how to live a Christian life. It fits right in with this topic of how to live our lives. And the Divine Intimacy reflection I read stated:
The gift of fear, the purpose of which is to liberate the soul completely from sin, tends to extinguish in us the desire for earthly things, which is the principal cause of sin. Therefore, it urges us to a life of total self-detachment so that, stripping us of all selfish proud desires, of all cupidity and concern as to worldly things, it gradually establishes us in perfect poverty of spirit. In the face of all that life can offer us in the way of honors, satisfactions, affections of creatures, comforts, and riches, the Holy Spirit repeats in the depths of our heart the words of Jesus: “If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast … and come, follow Me.” This means, not only not to desire nothing more than what one has, but to give up even this; not to be eager for riches, pleasures, consolations, fame, nor earthly affections, but to sacrifice all these things which fill the heart of the world, and prevent it from being filled with God.
Poverty of spirit includes detachment not only from material goods, but also from moral and even spiritual goods. Whoever tries to assert his own personality, seeking the esteem and regard of creatures, who remains attached to his own will and ideas, or is too fond of his independence, is not poor in spirit, but is rich in himself, in his self-love, and his pride. “If thou wilt be perfect,” says St. John of the Cross, “Sell they will … come to Christ through meekness and humility, and follow Him to Calvary, and the grave.”
… Poverty of spirit consists in being entirely stripped and empty of all these pretensions, so that the soul seeks and desires only one thing: to possess God, and to be thus content, even when God lets Himself be found only in darkness, aridity,, anguish, and suffering.”
That sounds like the attitude of St Teresa of Calcutta; is that where my heart is? I look down on the poor as needing my help, but the catechism notes the reason I was given life was to learn how to become poor. My life is not about material things, but not caring about them.
Change my heart, O God. St. Theresa of Calcutta, please pray for me, that I can truly become poor in spirit, and do not be anxious.
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I’ve written about A Simple House before, the charity where its members live in slum houses, with the poor as their neighbors, to whom they act with love. They exist month-to-month, totally on donations. If more than one month’s needs come in, they immediately give away the excess. And sometimes when their money runs out, they gather and pray. And God has always come through.
I thought of my house, my possessions, even the food in my cupboard and freezer. Over the years I’ve accumulated almost everything I might need or want. Is that “protecting of my wants” a poverty of spirit?
Lord, help me to become who You created me to be. Help me to really grow in poverty of spirit.
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