What does it really mean to be poor in spirit?

[JLCecilia]

I was curious what everyone’s take is on this. To me, the form it takes in my life is more of a ‘poor me’ pity-party approach, but I’m certain this isn’t what the Scriptures are referring to!

What comes to mind for me is thinking of the downtrodden. But this can be found in darn near every social and financial class - is any one of these more legitimate than the other? For instance, it’s a given that those who are downtrodden over job loss, home foreclosure and such may experience a downcase spirit. But there are also those who, while they still have jobs, may be downcast over the burdens and challenges (physically and financially) of caring for a young family. How 'bout those who struggle with chronic depression and insecurity? Sometimes I can’t help but want to kick myself in the butt over being so melancholy all the time b/c I am/my family is really doing ok all things considered, we’re just in belt-tightening mode and it’s difficult to make those sacrifices!

Are any of these things included in what the Scripture is referring to?

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[Verbum]

Hi Cecilia,

In the Old Testament, “poor” refers mainly to the downtrodden and how God will avenge them. Already you can see that the idea of the heavenly reward is present. In Matthew’s text “poor in spirit” goes further and declares as worthy of the Kingdom those who are detached from wordly goods, and this applies to all classes of society (Remember the parable of the manager who “buys” himself friends for when he loses his job.) The Gospels also teach us to rely on God, who won’t let even a little bird go unfed. Hard times do call for trust in God and for solidarity – helping one another.

It is natural for us to feel sorry for ourselves when things go bad. But, as the saying goes, “count your blessings”. I always admire those people we see on TV, after a hurricane or some other disaster : " We have lost everything, but we have our lives, and we have each other."

Cheer up!

Verbum

 

[budgie2]

This beatitude always confused me “Blessed are the poor in spirit” because I thought spiritually poor meant somebody with a lack of spirituality in their life. However, my priest said in his sermon it means the opposite and somebody who is unconcerned with material things.

 

[tobinatorstark]

From the Haydock Bible Commentary

Ver. 3. The poor in spirit;[1] which, according to the common exposition, signifies the humble of mind and heart. Yet some understand it of such as are truly in poverty and want, and who bear their indigent condition with patience and resignation. (Witham) — That is, the humble; and they whose spirit is not set upon riches. (Challoner) — It is not without reason that the beatitudes are disposed of in this order. Each preceding one prepares the way for what immediately follows, furnishing us in particular with spiritual arms of such graces as are necessary for obtaining the virtue of the subsequent beatitude. Thus the poor in spirit, i.e. the truly humble, will mourn for their transgressions, and whoever is filled with sorrow and confusion for his own sins, cannot but be just, and behave to others with meekness and clemency; when possessed of these virtues, he then becomes pure and clean of heart. Peace of conscience reigns in this assemblage of virtues, and cannot be expelled the soul by any tribulations, persecutions, or injustices of men. (St. Chrysostom, hom. xv.) What is this poverty of spirit, but humility and contrition? This virtue of humility is placed in the first place, because it is the parent of every other virtue, as pride is the mother of every vice. Pride deprived our first parents of their original innocence, and nothing but humility can restore us to our former purity. We may pray and fast, we may be possessed of mercy, chastity, or any virtues, if humility do not accompany them, they will be like the virtue of the Pharisee, without foundation, without fruit. (Hom. xv.)