June 10, 2013 Monday: Blessed are the poor in spirit

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." To be poor in spirit does not mean to give up all things and embrace holy poverty with one swoop. Nor is this meant for priests and religious only. No. It is a beatitude for all of us, for it detaches our hearts from earthly possessions and places them into Christ's Sacred Heart.

To be poor in spirit simply means that we understand well that we are but stewards of our earthly goods, and the Lord is the owner thereof. It means that the goods that are over and above our necessities (food, clothing, shelter, education, provisions against sickness and old age) belong to our brothers and sisters in need--belong to them in justice, not in charity.

Such worldly goods as we have help us to fulfill the obligations of our state of life, and should be enjoyed fully and used for the glory of God. But should he take these away, we will neither miss them, nor pine for them, for our lives are rooted in the most holy will of God, and it alone. Joyously we fulfill it--with a free and detached heart.

To be poor in spirit, to be detached, to live according to God's will, means simply to be happy, at peace, and full of love and hope.

Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Grace in Every Season