Christ asks only that we open our
heart to him in all simplicity, in the acknowledgement of our own poverty and
misery, to obtain from him the gift of our conversion to him, which we all need
if we are to share in the joy of his Kingdom.
St. Ignatius of Loyola explains this point by saying that poverty is the
first step to be taken to share in the Kingdom of Christ
For this is an enriching poverty. Paradoxical as it may sound, the poorest who
have freely opted for this poverty are the richest, for they have discovered
the hidden treasure, which is authentic independence from things and chiefly
from their own selves. This option for
Christ poor – a Christ on the cross, naked and despised, who is waiting with
open arms to liberate us – snatches us from our false hopes and
idolatries. Things are no longer ends,
little gods, but become means; our trust is placed in God alone, the source of
peace and happiness. We adhere to that
marvelous power which is at work on Calvary
and contains the germ of the resurrection.
(Pedro
Arrupe, S.J., “The Seven Words of the Living Christ” [1977])
This may be paradoxical but it is so true. The more I surrender to God, the less I cling to things and my own identity, the more at peace I am. The less control I try to maintain over my life, the less anxious I am. The peace of Christ does pass all understanding.
ReplyDeleteBravo! God's wisdom is confoundingly clever.
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