July 6, Points II-III: Teaching of Jesus Christ on poverty and on riches

CONSIDERATION.— Our Lord commenced His discourse by laying down the principles of true happiness. These had been corrupted by pagan vices and Jewish prejudices as they now are by a proud and sensual world. And there is a great contrast between the beatitudes which the world proclaims, and those of Jesus Christ. The world says, "Blessed are the rich;" our Lord says, "Blessed are the poor;" not exactly the poor by birth, but poor in spirit, detached in heart and mind from the possessions of earth for the love of God. Why are they blessed? "Because," says our Lord, "theirs is the kingdom of heaven;" because even in this life, having neither fear nor anxiety, they are in peace, which is a foretaste of heaven.

APPLICATION.— Among the poor whom Jesus Christ calls blessed we can distinguish three classes: 1st, the actual poor, perfectly resigned to the will of God; 2d, the rich who are really poor in spirit; 3d, the voluntary poor, who have stripped themselves forever of all things, to follow Jesus Christ in poverty. To this latter class we have the happiness to belong; and to it especially belong those wonderful promises of our Lord, as we learn from the words, "There is no man who hath left house or lands for My sake, and the Gospel, who shall not receive an hundred times as much now in this time, and in the world to come life everlasting." (St. Mark 10: 29, 30.) These words ought to fill our hearts with holy joy and courage.

AFFECTIONS.— Thank our Lord, who has enabled you to comprehend holy poverty, to love it, and to embrace its practice.

RESOLUTIONS.— To endeavor that our poverty may prove a treasure to us, through our fidelity in observing its least rules.

POINT III TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST ON RICHES

CONSIDERATION.— Our Lord's teaching upon poverty showed plainly enough what we ought to think about riches, and those who cling to them as their dearest possession. But lest we should not fully understand this, He added these terrible words, "Wo to you that are rich; for you have your consolation," (St. Luke 6: 24;) meaning that they are so entirely taken up with material enjoyments that they live in complete forgetfulness of their last end, and at length death comes suddenly upon them, they are destitute of merit, loaded with sins, and they fall into eternal misery.

APPLICATION.— Look around you, and see what is passing in the world. Do you not see this condemnation of our Lord verified? Let it teach you, then, the unspeakable favor that God has done you by withdrawing you from the world; show Him your gratitude and redouble your zeal to undeceive those whose desire for temporal enjoyments is drawing them away from the path of salvation.

COLLOQUY with the holy Apostles whose Octave we celebrate.