The Poor in Spirit

Blessed are the poor in spirit
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
                 —Matthew 5:3

Blessedness is possessed by neither rich nor poor unless they are rich in faith and poor in spirit.

Jesus eliminated self-sufficiency with three words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” It isn’t poverty of purse that is blessed, but poverty of spirit. To be “poor in spirit” is to acknowledge our incapacity to gain the kingdom of heaven on our merits—and to place our total trust in God’s grace.

“I live in a high and holy place,” God said, “but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (Is 57:15).

God sends the rich away empty (Lk 1:53), but he bequeaths the kingdom of heaven to the poor in spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”—so said the King of the kingdom.

We must stoop to conquer.