257th subject, Spirit of Poverty

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.— ST. MATT. v. 3.

Let us adore our Lord, teaching us by His words and His example, how happy are the poor in spirit, even in this world, and how great will be the happiness they will possess in the other; and let us examine whether we have this spirit of poverty, which is so expressly recommended by our holy rules.

To have the spirit of poverty is not only to be poor, but it is to regard poverty as one's portion; it is to bear with resignation, and even with joy, the consequences of it. Thus a religious who has vowed poverty, and who has the spirit of it, regards as a very natural thing, to want not only the superfluities, but even what would appear to others, necessaries. He would even be surprised if his lodging, his food, his dress, should leave nothing to be desired.

When even a single word would suffice to gratify a taste, a fancy, he would not speak it. The fear of not conforming to the intentions of the superiors, alone leads him to speak of his wants; but even then he exposes them simply and asks for nothing; he expects nothing, he is troubled about nothing, and still less does he grieve at a refusal or a neglect. He knows that he is poor, and this word explains everything to him, answers everything.

The general permission concerning the use of the goods of this world, of those which would accrue to him from his family, as well as those of the community, would be extremely annoying to him; he wishes that everything should be specified, because he desires to be poor and truly poor. He cannot comprehend the conduct of a religious, who could permit himself to make expenditures without permission.

Far from regarding himself as owner of the things furnished him; he considers them as borrowed only. If by his position he has the management of the property of a house, he looks on himself only as the responsible administrator of it; the arbitrary disposal of the smallest coin would be to him a fault, which he would not easily overlook.

The thought of a God who was poor, of a God who had not a stone whereon to rest His adorable head, makes him find all those privations which may give him some resemblance to this divine model, sweet and agreeable.

Is it thus that we love poverty? Is it thus that we practice it? Have we not exposed ourselves to embarrassments of conscience, through taking some license on this subject, in what concerns family possessions, especially in what belongs to the community, to the pupils, or to religious purposes? Are we careful to meditate on these words of Jesus Christ, especially when we have to suffer any privation: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.—ST. LUKE ix. 58.

Pause.

ACT OF CONTRITION.—What confusion for me, O my God, to see myself so opposed to the spirit of poverty, which is, nevertheless, so expressly recommended to me! O how many faults have I committed on this head! Pardon me, through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy Son, who being rich became poor, for the love of us. I ask Thee through the intercession of Mary, who so well imitated Him in His poverty, the grace to attach myself more and more to the love and to the practice of this virtue, which is the foundation of all angelic perfection.

I make the resolution to......