Reflect today on the clear call you have received to live in this world

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. So come and follow me. “When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, because he had many possessions. Matthew 19: 21-22

Luckily Jesus didn't say this to you or me! Right? Or did he do it? Does this apply to all of us if we want to be perfect? The answer may surprise you.

True, Jesus calls some people to literally sell all their possessions and give them away. For those who respond to this call, they discover great freedom in their detachment from all material goods. Their vocation is a sign for all of us of the radical interior call that each of us has received. But what about the rest of us? What is that radical interior call that has been given to us by our Lord? It is a call to spiritual poverty. By "spiritual poverty" we mean that each of us is called to detach ourselves from the things of this world to the same extent as those who are called to literal poverty. The only difference is that one call is both internal and external, and the other is internal only. But it must be just as radical.

What does inner poverty look like? It is bliss. “Blessed are the poor in spirit”, as Saint Matthew says, and “Blessed are the poor”, as Saint Luke says. Spiritual poverty means that we discover the blessing of spiritual riches in our detachment from the material enticements of this age. No, material "things" are not evil. That's why it's okay to have personal possessions. But it is quite common for us to also have a strong attachment to the things of this world. Too often we always want more and fall into the trap of thinking that more "things" will make us happy. That's not true and we know it deep down, but we still fall into the trap of behaving as if more money and possessions could satisfy. As an old Roman catechism says, “Whoever has money never has enough money”.

Reflect today on the clear call you have received to live in this world without being attached to the things of this world. Goods are only a means to live a holy life and fulfill your purpose in life. This means that you have what you need, but it also means that you strive to avoid excesses and, above all, to avoid inner attachment to worldly goods.

Lord, I freely renounce everything I have and possess. I give it to you as a spiritual sacrifice. Get everything I have and help me use it just the way you want. In that detachment may I discover the true riches you have for me. Jesus I believe in you.