No matter how hard it may happen to be, holy poverty should be accepted voluntarily. But really it is not hard; rather, it is the cause of great delight in one who embraces it willingly... If this is true of people who are not poor by choice, what shall we say of those who are poor because they choose to be? For, neither possessing nor loving anything earthly which they could lose, they enjoy a peace that it imperturbable and a tranquility that is supreme. On the other hand, riches are for those who possess them like the sea that is tossed by the storm. Moreover, these voluntary poor, because of the peace and security of their conscience, enjoy an uninterrupted cheerfulness which is like a banquet without end...
I will add only this, that those who love poverty should, as occasion offers, love her retinue, which consists of poor meals, poor clothes, poor sleeping accommodations, and to be held of little account. Whoever loves poverty and is unwilling to feel want, or any of its effects, would be a very dainty poor man and would give the impression of one who loves the name rather than the reality, of one who loved in words than in the depth of his heart.
Sometimes the most difficult poverty to accept is "to be held of little account".
ReplyDeleteIt is not easy, I'll tell you, but there is something comforting about it.
DeleteI was pondering Ignatian indifference during the Long Retreat. Best I could come up with was preferring to be rich, dishonored, and short-lived. My director had a very good laugh at that one!
ReplyDeleteYes, the one who is indifferent does have preferences, but it O.K. if God prefers something different for the person.
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