Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:3)

Sometimes the challenges we experience in life can tempt us to lose hope. But in the midst of all life's most difficult experiences, Jesus tells us, there is blessing. How can we be blessed in mourning a loss, or by the challenge to make peace in a conflict? When persecuted for our beliefs, or when our meekness seems at odds with the aggressive, competitive and often destructive ways of others? How can we find encouragement in these situations of affliction? The response of Jesus to this very natural question is rooted in the first of the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit. Our ability to embrace the blessing and encouragement in all of the remaining Beatitudes rests in the depth of our poverty of spirit which can be equated to humility. By placing this first among the Beatitudes, Jesus makes it foundational.

We can hear the word humility and associate it with a whole variety of things, from putting others first to not blowing our own horn. However, humility, as understood in the phrase poor in spirit, means something far more basic and, ultimately, more encouraging. To be poor in spirit means that we have the ability to recognize ourselves as people made in the image and likeness of God. In poverty of spirit, we know who we are–people made in God's image and likeness, profoundly dependent on him. In humility, we recognize the ways we are provided for by God. Poor in spirit, we recognize that God already fulfills us. We are blessed by a deep openness to God in all things, allowing us to be people of mercy, people able to mourn our losses in faith, people who can live in peace and bring peace to others–in short, people of the Beatitudes. 

O Blessed Mother Mary, the shining example of humility, help the miserable, strengthen the discouraged, comfort the sorrowful, please lead us to Your Son. Hail Mary full of grace… 

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Peace in Christ,

Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen

St. Clare of Assisi

Houston, TX