The Beatitudes – 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
The Beatitudes | This summer, the student brothers invite you to meditate on the Beatitudes of St Matthew’s Gospel.
‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’ (Jn 10:10)
Refresh your spiritual vision this summer with our series of meditations on the Beatitudes. Starting this week and until early September, we shall release a weekly audio meditation to help you reflect on the vision of Gospel joy that lies at the foundation of all Christian discipleship
Today, Br Pablo Rodríguez Jordá reflects on the First Beatitude: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3)
Questions for reflection
- What obstacles prevent me from drawing closer to God? What do I still need to let go of?
- In which ways have I been ‘blessed’ by God in my life?
- What does it mean for me to follow Christ? How does my life reflect his teaching in the Gospel?
Further reading
- Jean Pierre de Caussade, S.J. , Abandonment to Divine Providence. A spiritual classic on practising reliance on God and spiritual poverty in our everyday lives.
- Bl Charles de Foucauld, Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series). A gripping testimony by a man that left everything behind and gave himself over entirely to God.
- St Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul. St Thérèse’s Little Way of humility and love shows us an easy path to learn to be poor and to receive everything from God.
- Malcolm Muggeridge, Something Beautiful for God. A book about St Teresa of Calcutta and the Missionaries of Charity, by a man who was deeply impressed by his encounter with the saint.
The text of this meditation is available here.
MORE ON: BEATITUDES, PRAYER, GOSPEL JOY, CHRISTIAN LIFE
