Poor and happy

Seriously, how can one be poor and happy? Isn’t the phrase a contradicting statement especially if we look at it based on the values of the world? World values teach us to be rich, powerful, and famous. These values, in general, are showcased by our political leaders, lorded over by businesses, and even flaunted by celebrities. Whatever runs counter to this is frowned upon by society. Whoever counters such a world order can easily be branded as a loser or someone who is a deviant.

Though non-conformity does not carry a value in itself, it is rooted in deeper values that it stands for. As for Christians, the sentiments and actions that we are asked to imbibe are rooted in Gospel values that we are able to read from the readings of this Sunday – the Beatitudes! It is Jesus’ guide to us towards happiness – to be poor in spirit, to be gentle, to mourn, to hunger and thirst for what is right, to be merciful, to be pure in heart, to be peacemakers, to be persecuted in the cause of the right.

As one goes through this list that guide us towards Christian happiness, we might come up with the conclusion that such may not be for everyone as it is a difficult task to undertake. How can I be poor in Spirit when other people show off their greatness in so many ways? How can I be gentle when my workmates are vicious and uncharitable? How can hunger and thirst for what is right when those who cheat always “get away with it”? How can I be merciful when I see that I can now get back at the person who has given me a hard time all these years? How can I be pure of heart if there is a deep grudge that I feel against a person who has done me wrong? How can I be a peacemaker when people around me encourage violence as a means to achieve their goals? How can I yearn to be persecuted in the cause of right when in doing so, I fear that I will be most unpopular with my friends? These Beatitudes may simply be, “not for me.”

It may be so, but can’t we at least try? We may just feel that it is difficult to take on. It may be a daunting task to do, that it begins to eat up the confidence of a person who is invited to follow the teachings of Christ.

There is an old phrase that says that there is no one who is too rich that he cannot receive, and that there is no one who is too poor that he cannot give. It shows that everyone may be able to give. It shows that everyone may be able to receive as well. It also shows that the journey to one’s salvation does not choose WHO the person is, but rather, HOW he lives and shares of his life. It may be a comforting realization that as one forgets one’s self, one may come to that felt knowledge that one is also able to grow and change for the better.

In its truest sense, the invitation to live out the Beatitudes may just be in fact, for everyone. As one brother of mine recently mentioned, “we cannot achieve transformation unless we go to the roots.” A radical following of Christ’s teaching promises growth in our selves and in our communities.

When we discern and choose the path of the Beatitudes, we also take the path to greater and authentic freedom. In the process, we become sensitive to the movements of our hearts and the hearts of others as well. It gives us an idea where we do stand in the greater scheme of things.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, in his Spiritual Exercises, even reminds the one who prays to look into the movements of one’s spirit:

“In souls that are progressing to greater perfection, the action of the good angel is delicate, gentle, and delightful. It may be compared to a drop of water penetrating a sponge.

The action of the evil spirit upon such souls is violent, noisy and disturbing. It may be compared to a drop of water falling upon a stone.”

If our hearts are restless, we are disturbed. If our hearts are at peace, then we begin to imbibe that sense of Christ. Perhaps it is best to leave with you with another practical prayer that was shared by the late Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ:

“Above all, give me that sensus Christi – the sensing of Christ about which St Paul speaks: that I may feel with your feelings, with the sentiments of your heart, which basically are love for your Father and love for humanity.

Teach me your way of relating to disciples, to sinners, to children, to Pharisees, Pilates and Herods.

Teach me how you deal with your disciples. How delicately you treat them on Lake Tiberias, even preparing breakfast for them! How you washed their feet!

May I learn from you and from your ways, as St Ignatius did: how to eat and drink; how to attend banquets; how to act when hungry or thirsty, when tired from the ministry, when in need of rest or sleep.

Teach me how to be compassionate to the suffering, to the poor, the blind, the lame and the lepers.

Teach me your way of looking at people: as you glanced at Peter after his denial, as you penetrated the heart of the rich young man and the hearts of your disciples.

We have to learn from you the secret of a close bond or union with God: in the more trivial, everyday actions, with that total dedication to loving the Father and all humanity.

Give me that grace, that sensus Christi, your very heartbeat, that I may live all my life, interiorly and exteriorly, proceeding and discerning with your spirit, exactly as you did during your mortal life.”

Can we really indeed reconcile being Poor and Happy? Yes, we can! Happy are the Poor in Spirit!