St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity Bulletin
Vol. 13 No. 1   January 2008

Franciscan column
by Tom

Blessed are the poor in spirit...

The Beatitudes are about the coming of the kingdom of God. The see how things should be from God’s perspective. For all Christians they have a special place in seeing where we are in our spiritual life.

"Blessed" has multiple levels of meaning. We have seen it rendered as "Happy." "Happy are the poor in spirit." Does this sound like perfect joy?

"Blessed" can also mean gifted. You might be blessed with birthday presents. The poor in spirit are gifted. Poverty is a gift.

"Blessed" can also mean holy. Holy means something is sacred, set apart for the service of God. Hence we call Mary the Blessed Virgin Mary. The poor in spirit are separated from the world, dedicated to the service of God.

St. Francis seems to see poverty of spirit, as with other Beatitudes, to be a matter of interior humility. As Secular Franciscans we often wrestle with the meaning of poverty as we have professed it. Often we fall back to this poverty of spirit as our goal. This means it is very important for us to truly understand this beatitude.

1. What is poverty of spirit?

2. What is the kingdom of God?

3. How is the kingdom of God present now to the poor in spirit?

4. What can you not let go of? What keeps you from true poverty of spirit?

Admonition XIV - Poverty of Spirit

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs (Mt 5: 3). There are many who, applying themselves insistently to prayers and good deeds, engage in much abstinence and many mortifications of their bodies, but they are scandalized and quickly roused to anger by a single word which seems injurious to their person or by some other thing that might be taken from them. These persons are not poor in spirit because a person who is truly poor in spirit hates himself (cf Lk 14: 26) and loves those who strike him on the cheek (cf Mt 5: 39).

Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order - Article 11

Trusting in the Father, Christ chose for himself and his mother a poor and humble life, even though he valued created things attentively and lovingly. Let the Secular Franciscans seek a proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods by simplifying their own material needs. Let them be mindful that according to the gospel they are stewards of the goods received for the benefit of God’s children.

Admonition XIX - The Humble Servant of God

Blessed is he servant who esteems himself no better when he is praised and exalted by people than when he is considered worthless, simple, and despicable, for what a man is before God, that he is and nothing more. Woe to that religious who has been placed in a high position by others and does not wish to come down of his won will. And blessed is that servant (Mt 24: 46) who does not place himself in a high position of his own will and always desires to be under the feet of others.

Admonition XXII - Correction

Blessed is the servant who would accept correction, accusation, and blame from another as patiently as he would from himself. Blessed is the servant who when he is rebuked quietly agrees, respectfully submits, humbly admints his fault and willingly makes amends. Blessed is he servant who is not quick to excuse himself and who humbly accepts shame and blame for a sin, even though he did not commit any fault.

Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order - Article 11

Thus, in the spirit of "the Beatitudes," and as pilgrims and strangers on their way to the home of the Father, they should strive to purify their hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power.

St. Francis - Letter to a General Chapter

Humble yourselves that you may be exalted by him. Keep nothing for yourselves so that he who has given himself wholly to you may receive your wholly.

St. Francis - Rule of 1221 #9

The friars should be delighted to follow the lowliness and poverty of our Lord Jesus Christ, remembering that of the whole world we must own nothing; but having food and sufficient clothing, with these let us be content.

St. Leo the Great - Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time

It cannot be doubted that the poor can more easily attain the blessing of humility then those who are rich. In the case of the poor, the lack of worldly goods is often accompanied by a quiet gentleness, whreas the rich are more prone to arrogance. Nevertheless, many wealthy people are disposed to use their abundance not to swell their own pride but to perform works of benevolence. They consider their greatest gain what they spend to alleviate the distress of others.

This virtue is open to all men, no mater what their class or condition, because all can be equal in their willingness to give, however unequal they may be in earthly fortune. Indeed, their inequality in regard to worldly means is unimportant, provided they are found equal in spiritual possessions. Blessed, therefore is theat poverty which is not trapped by the love of temporal things and does not seek to be enriched by worldly wealth, but desires rather to grow rich in heavenly goods.

The Church prays - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In faith and love we ask you, Father, to watch over your family gathered here. In your mercy and loving kindness no thought of ours is left unguarded, no tear unheeded, no joy unnoticed. Through the prayer of Jesus may the blessings promised to the poor in spirit lead us to the treasures of your heavenly kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.