24 November, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day

The Blessedness of the Poor

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” said Jesus, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 5:3) We should take care to have a proper understanding of the meaning of these words. Christian perfection does not actually consist in being poor. A man can be poor, even voluntarily so, without being virtuous and without receiving any blessing thereby. "Christian perfection," explains St. Thomas, "does not essentially consist in voluntary poverty, which is only an instrument of perfection. Therefore it cannot be said that where there is greater poverty, there is greater sanctity. The highest perfection can coexist with great wealth, for we read that Abraham was wealthy and God said to him: 'Walk in my presence and be perfect.' " (S. Th., 11-11, q. 185, a. 6 ad 1)

Perfection, then, does not consist in poverty as such, but in detachment from worldly possessions. Whether we are rich or poor, we must have this detachment if we wish to be true followers of Christ. It was God Who created the fruits of the earth and gave them to men. When He had created them He was pleased with His work and declared that all things were good. Evil consists in the abuse of these goods, which in themselves are intended to be aids to perfection. It is necessary, therefore, to preserve the proper hierarchical order of all that is good. We must guard against riveting our ambitions on earthly objects as if they were capable of constituting the goal of our lives.

God has given us these things as possessions, not as ends in themselves. He has ordered us to be masters of the world, not its slaves. Detachment is essential, but not a complete surrender of our possessions. The latter was never commanded, but simply indicated as an evangelical counsel of perfection. The observance of this counsel, however, is valueless if it is not accompanied by detachment. Worldly possessions, such as money, are good servants but bad masters.

2. We have established the principle that wealth is in itself good and is a gift from God, but that "it is good in as far as it leads us towards virtue, and evil in as far as it leads us towards vice." (Contra G., III, 134) We must now insist once more on the necessity of remaining detached from worldly goods and of concentrating our attention primarily on God. It is an unfortunate fact that only too often wealth is a spiritual obstacle, for it diverts our attention away from Heaven and towards worldly objects. If this happens, some of its worst results can be the worship of money, the destruction of high ideals, indifference to the poverty of others, the vain and selfish search for happiness on this earth, and complete spiritual blindness. This is why it is more difficult for the rich man than for the poor man to save his soul.

“If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell what thou hast, and give to the poor.” (Mt. 19:21) This is an evangelical counsel which we may have neither the courage nor the vocation to pursue. At least, however, let us seek to purify ourselves of all attachment to wealth. If we have riches, moreover, let us do our best to use them as instruments of virtue.

3. Let us remember the warning of St. Paul. “Those who seek to become rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many useless and harmful desires, which plunge men into destruction and damnation. For covetousness is the root of all evils.” (1 Tim. 6:9-10) If we are rich, therefore, let us use our wealth in order to do good. If we are poor, let us console ourselves with the reflection that it is easier for the poor to gain Heaven. "The poor man who lacks wisdom is afflicted by a double misfortune; he can neither enjoy the goods of this world, nor hope to enjoy those of the other." (St. John Climacus, "Scala Paradisi," VII, n. 113)

Let us all, both rich and poor, seek the only true riches, which are holiness and the grace of God. If we wish, moreover, to enjoy the blessedness of poverty of spirit, let us be detached not only from wealth, but also from worldly honour and glory. Knowledge which serves to make us proud and ostentatious is regarded as folly in the sight of God.