DAY 18 of our Retreat

From:  To Live as Francis Lived, Foley, Jovian, Weigel

"We still have not settled the 'practical' question as to whether poverty is material or spiritual, whether it is mainly positive or negative, whether it is mainly an ascetical practice or a generous sharing of this world's goods with others.  It is possible for a materially wealthy person to be totally unattached to his/her possessions.  And a very poor person in terms of possessions can be stingy, grasping, and hoarding.  If we place the question within the mystery of Christ, perhaps we can see that there is no neat answer that can be printed in a catechism.

"How does the spirit of gospel poverty apply to buying a car, a home, entertainment?  How does it enter into the raising of children?  Is it possible to be "gospel poor" in our affluent society?  Take some material possession -- clothing, food, a car -- and see it not as a possession but as an instrument for serving God.

PRAYER:  "Lord, show me how to be poor in a culture that worships the wealth of power, possessions, and prestige."

          I appreciate  the authors' views about poverty and the challenge they present to us:  in what ways should we consider the issue of poverty when we make choices about lifestyle, possessions, etc.  Having been an educator for many years and a sister, aunt, and great-aunt for as long, I have sometimes cringed when I watched nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews open their (sometimes tons of) Christmas gifts.   Dear little B (age 4 at the time) opened her third Barbie doll of the day;  these she would be adding to her growing Barbie doll collection which already numbered 6.  Pehaps, in speaking about poverty of possessions, the authors are asking us, this day, just how much is enough?   Being able to answer this question honestly is living in the spirit of poverty, I think.