On Poverty of Spirit
"'How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven is theirs' (Mt 5:3). There are those who apply themselves unceasingly to prayer and to the responsibilities of office; they abstain and mortify their bodies often; but for one word that seems injurious to their person or any other thing that might detract from them, they are scandalized and thoroughly upset. These do not have the spirit of poverty; for if you are truly poor in spirit you hate your own life (cf. Lk 14:26) and love those who hit you on the cheek (cf. Mt 5:39)." --St. Francis, Admonition 14
This Admonition is for all Christians in the election aftermath. The discourse on social media sites in many cases has degenerated to what Francis warns about--people getting their feelings hurt because they take any criticism of their chosen candidate personally. He reminds us that even if the harsh words are directed at us, we are to not take it personally. We are to turn the other cheek and offer it to them as well.
"'How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of heaven is theirs' (Mt 5:3). There are those who apply themselves unceasingly to prayer and to the responsibilities of office; they abstain and mortify their bodies often; but for one word that seems injurious to their person or any other thing that might detract from them, they are scandalized and thoroughly upset. These do not have the spirit of poverty; for if you are truly poor in spirit you hate your own life (cf. Lk 14:26) and love those who hit you on the cheek (cf. Mt 5:39)." --St. Francis, Admonition 14
This Admonition is for all Christians in the election aftermath. The discourse on social media sites in many cases has degenerated to what Francis warns about--people getting their feelings hurt because they take any criticism of their chosen candidate personally. He reminds us that even if the harsh words are directed at us, we are to not take it personally. We are to turn the other cheek and offer it to them as well.
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