Day 17. Admonition 14

Of Poverty of Spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” 1 Many apply themselves to prayers and offices, and practice much abstinence and bodily mortification.  When a single word, which seems to be hurtful to their bodies or because of something being taken from them, they are scandalized and troubled. These people are not poor in spirit.  Someone who is truly poor in spirit, hates themselves and loves those who strike them on the cheek. 2 000ooo000

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? I used to think that the first Beatitude read ‘Blessed are the Poor’ and have always found this perplexing because why would anyone who is poor be happy. The correct reading is ‘Blessed are the Poor in Spirit’ which makes no more sense than previously. Francis has omitted the key word ‘know’ as in ‘Blessed are those who know they are poor in spirit.’ This word is absent in the Vulgate, and in the Greek. God’s Word version reads “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” (Matt5:3 -GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995) The Blessing comes in knowing that we are poor in spirit: To be poor in spirit is to realize that nothing we have is worth more than the kingdom of God. Knowing this, we become willing to part with anything we have if it hinders us from receiving the kingdom. This is why Jesus said, ‘No one of you can be my disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.’” (Luke 14:33)3 In this Admonition Francis attempts to illustrate how someone who is Poor in Spirit should behave. It is not in those who are seen to keep the Rule and perform other religious duties to make satisfaction for their sins. For if they were really Poor in Spirit they would not take offense when someone said something unkind to them nor be troubled if something was stolen from them. In the final sentence Francis says “Someone who is truly poor in spirit, hates themselves and loves those who strike them on the cheek.” I think that what he means is that those who know/recognise they are Poor in Spirit will put God first then others before themselves. Or more simply those who know they are poor in spirit see our world in its true perspective.

The Admonitions are taken from the Prayer book of the E.F.O 1 Matt 5. 3 2 See Matt. 5. 39