The title of my blog is blessed are the poor in spirit, in Latin. Why did I choose this title? Because what better mentality to have when the object of my blog is to discuss sainthood, and little tidbits of my own thoughts on how to reach that goal. To get to heaven, we must seek it out daily. I am hoping my posts will help instill in some of you who read it this desire for constant conversion (a topic I will very soon touch upon).
So what is being poor in spirit? To be "poor in spirit" does not mean to have little faith, or to give up our soul (which is the way some might misinterpret because of how it is worded). To be poor in spirit means to be detached from all those things that hinder our spirit from being one with Christ, to be focused completely on Him.
"Poverty of spirit is the actual and voluntary detachment from all that disorderly occupies our hearts, the space that belongs only to God. It is an emptying of all that opposes the interior freedom that the consecrated soul should have in order to freely be willing to follow the Lord’s will wherever He leads her. Poverty of spirit is the internal attitude needed for the practical execution of the vow of poverty." - Mother Adela, SCTJM
Now, she talks from the perspective of a religious, but in terms of a worldly individual, one not as of yet consecrated to any specific vocation, what does being poor in spirit call us to? In my own estimation, I would say that, in a certain sense, it is speaking of giving ourselves completely to the will of God. We must pray, "Lord, what is it that you want me to do? How can I serve you?" We must not have selfish desires! We must deny our spirit the things of this world that will bring it down and keep God from being able to use us for His Divine Plan. To attain everything in Heaven, we must deny everything here. It is the paradox that is God, that is eternal life! Now, I would say that this does not mean you need to go give away all your worldly goods, but it means you must be detached. If God takes anything out of your life, even family, you must realize it is because it is not necessary for the rest of your journey to heaven. People come and go; and God gives us the opportunity to see Christ in them, as well as to show them Christ; but we must not be attached even to these people, because even people can pull us away from our mission. You can love a person too much, so much that you fall from the path God has set for you because you seek to follow that person and give them everything. Give them everything by giving them Christ! Let go when the time comes. Never did Christ say it would be easy to follow Him, but why attempt to if you are not willing to do any and everything for Him?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven!
