The Spirit of the Poor

Matthew 5:3
"Fortunate are those who have the spirit of the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of
Heaven"


Reflection
The Church had already spread and Christian communities had brought together
all kinds of people: slaves, ordinary people and the wealthy ones. Everything in the Bible
is the Gospel of God. Matthew tells us that the Gospel is not necessarily for the poor
only, but for all types of people. Although, God is more sympathetic to the destitute. And
then again, it is not only by being poor to that we can please God, but through our inner
attitudes and way of life.

People who have the ‘spirit of a poor’ live like a poor. ‘Poor’ here not only means
financially broke, but in almost every aspect. A poor man suffers a great deal of pain and
frustration in life. Perhaps, he has no money, no house, no family, or no friend. But
through it all, he understands and accepts what he has, despite of some difficulties. He
tends to care even for small things. He tends to act wisely, but with humility. Most
importantly, he is grateful of what has God given him.

It’s like seeing a hundred horizontal barb wires barricading his path. Instead of
whining because of the barb wires, he focuses on the spaces in between them to get
out. It is quite true that when everything seems so blur, we have a habit of directing our
attention to the negative side. But a poor man learned a lot through his suffering, and
has acquired a lot of patience and wisdom in order to sort out things, with the help of the
Lord, of course.

And God is pleased when we appreciate what we have, when we concentrate on
the good and deviate from what is evil, and when we are thankful for what He has given
us in the face of injustice and immorality. A poor man may be poor forever on earth, but
God promises him eternal bliss in the next world.



Luke 6:20
"Then lifting up his eyes to his disciples, Jesus said, ‘Fortunate are you who are
poor, the kingdom of God is yours’…"


Reflection
So Luke points out that the Gospel gives much priority to the unfortunate: the
poor, the peasants, and the marginalized. The Beatitudes are like a calling to those who
haven’t turned to God. His Beatitudes are like a new law which demands spiritual
readiness rather than external acts.

Jesus offers to everyone, who enters the Kingdom of God, the gift of happiness.
Take note that ‘happiness’ is different from ‘pleasure’. Happiness is deeply moral and
spiritual while pleasure is satisfaction provided by the senses or material things.