Homilies

4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

THE BEATITUDES HAVE two important elements, namely, a blessing and a promise. First, Jesus pronounces blessedness to those people who embrace the values of the kingdom. Secondly, there is an accompanying promise he gives to them. If we try to go over them, the values we find in the Beatitudes run counter to the values of the world. But this is the way how we should live our life in order to enter into God’s kingdom. There are eight beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount. However, let us reflect only on the first Beatitude, that is, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

First, we may ask who are those people whom Jesus referred to as “poor in spirit”? In the version of the Evangelist Matthew, there is an emphasis of poverty in spirit, and not material poverty. Some biblical scholars interpret that the poor in spirit are those people who are humble and those who are in need of God. Therefore, it is not about the state of material poverty. Rather, it is an attitude of humility before God. This humility goes with dependence on God. People who are aware who they are before the eyes of God can have the capacity to be humble. If we realize that we are simple “creatures” of God, then we must always feel the need to be with our Creator who is God.

Second, because it is an attitude, poverty in spirit can be found in people who are materially poor, as well as in people who are materially rich. Let us put it in this way! It is true that the attitude of poverty in spirit can be associated with the poor. In their dire need, they have put their trust, faith, and hope in God. However, this is not absolute. Not all poor people have this attitude. I have seen poor people who do not come to prayer in their dire need. In contrast, we can find some wealthy people who can be at times arrogant because they feel they have enough resources. Having resources and riches can be a power. And if they feel they are powerful enough, they no longer need God in our lives. However, we could not also deny the fact that there are rich people who have done much good for the Church. They become good benefactors. Despite the resources they have, they do not distance themselves to God. They still feel that their life remains incomplete. And for them, only God can complete their life.

Thus, for our third point, poverty in spirit is a process. It is a process of emptying ourselves so that we can prepare a place for God in our lives. What hinders to this process is arrogance and pride. They are exactly the opposite of humility. If we feel we are complete and if we are full of arrogance, there could never be a chance for God to enter into our lives. We will never be in need of God in our lives.

I remember a person whom I asked why he no longer goes to the Holy Mass on Sundays. His reply, “What for, Father?” He explained that his businesses are going well without the help of God. He never prayed to God in order to be successful. Because of that, he does not need God in his life. Indeed, his attitude is disappointingly different. But God wants us to remain dependent on him. Despite the power and resources we may have, we must nevertheless feel that we are nothing, and therefore, we humbly accept and realize how important God is in our life.

Indeed, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

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