467. Poverty in spirit

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 467

Ave Maria series

Why does Jesus demand that we practice “poverty in spirit”?

“Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).  [2544-2547, 2555-2557]

Christ and the Rich Young Ruler by Heinrich Hofmann. ….. 467

Young people, too, experience inner emptiness.  But experiencing this sort of poverty is not just something bad.  I simply have to seek with my whole heart the one who can fill my emptiness and make wealth out of my poverty.  That is why Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).  283-284

“Hate no one.  Do not be jealous.  Do not act out of envy.  Do not love quarreling.  Flee arrogance.”  --St. Benedict of Nursia (ca. 480-547) in his Rule

“Even God could not do anything for someone who left no room for him.  One must be completely empty in order to let him in, so that he may do what he wants.”  --Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

[2544-2547, 2555-2557]

POVERTY OF HEART

2544 Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids them "renounce all that [they have]" for his sake and that of the Gospel.(Luke 14:33; compare Mark 8:35.)³³⁵ Shortly before his passion he gave them the example of the poor widow of Jerusalem who, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on. (Compare Luke 21:4.)³³⁶ The precept of detachment from riches is obligatory for entrance into the Kingdom of heaven. --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

2545 All Christ's faithful are to "direct their affections rightly, lest they be hindered in their pursuit of perfect charity by the use of worldly things and by an adherence to riches which is contrary to the spirit of evangelical poverty."(Lumen et Gentium 42 § 3.)³³⁷--CCC

2546 "Blessed are the poor in spirit." (Matthew 5:3.)³³⁸ The Beatitudes reveal an order of happiness and grace, of beauty and peace. Jesus celebrates the joy of the poor, to whom the Kingdom already belongs (Compare Luke 6:20.)³³⁹--CCC

The Word speaks of voluntary humility as "poverty in spirit"; the Apostle gives an example of God's poverty when he says: "For your sakes he became poor." (St. Gregory of Nyssa, De beatitudinibus 1:PG 44,1200D; compare 2 Corinthians 8:9.)³⁴⁰--CCC

2547 The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods. (Luke 6:24.)³⁴¹ "Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." (St. Augustine, De serm. Dom. in monte 1,1,3:Patrologia Latina 34,1232.)³⁴² Abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow. (Compare Matthew 6:25-34.)³⁴³ Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor. They shall see God. --CCC

IN BRIEF

2555 Christ's faithful "have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24); they are led by the Spirit and follow his desires.--CCC

2557 "I want to see God" expresses the true desire of man. Thirst for God is quenched by the water of eternal life (compare John 4:14).–CCC

JT  Christ and the Rich Young Ruler