Poor in Spirit

   “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5: 3)

   This beatitude puzzled me for a long time.  I couldn’t understand how someone who was spiritually poor could be blessed in this way.  I expected that those destined for heaven would be very rich in spirit.

   Of course, Jesus wasn’t speaking of spiritual poverty, but of the attitude toward earthly riches.  By being poor in spirit we identify with physical poverty; we don’t become obsessed with worldly goods.  We can be quite wealthy but still remain poor in spirit.  It all depends on our priorities in life.

   The desire for worldly goods can overcome our desire for those of heaven.  By becoming too attached to the “things” of this world we can lose sight of the rich blessings of the world to come.  Our priorities become misdirected; the world and its’ pleasures replace the kingdom of God in our heart.

   What if tomorrow all wealth was lost and all chance of regaining that wealth was gone?  Most would be devastated; totally lost.  When something like this occurred in the depression many committed suicide rather than face life without their worldly riches.

   But many who lived through the depression speak of the closeness of community it brought.  People helped others; those who had shared with those who didn’t.  You see the same thing in poorer areas all over the world.  A more communal attitude; one that looks to supply the needs of those who can’t provide for themselves.

   True poverty of spirit speaks to the realization that the riches of this world are of no value in the final analysis.  Regardless of one’s worldly wealth they can’t take it with them.  Riches of true value aren’t found in this life but in the next.  The recognition that all we have is a gift of God will help us remain poor in spirit and enter the kingdom of heaven.

   “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  (Job 1: 21)