Reflections from the Heart – July 14, 2024

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out… He instructed them to take nothing for the journey.” Being poor in spirit is the first beatitude of Jesus. It is at the heart of who Jesus is. It is at the very core of his identity as the Christ. The essence of being the beloved Son of the Father. Making himself small, tiny, humble, least, last is the driving force in the mission of Christ and the great gift of his ministry, which is to remain poor letting the Father provide for him always, in every situation and circumstance no matter how dire or life threatening it is or becomes. Jesus remained ever so poor and trusting that Scripture boldly proclaims that he humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. Jesus remained confidently entrusted to the protective care of the Father and under the watchful guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. Since Poverty of Spirit is who Jesus is and remains, perfectly poor, dependent, relying and trusting God always in all things, therefore, at the heart of anyone who wishes to be called Christian, to be like Christ, must imitate and follow the poverty of spirit Jesus boldly lives and breathes into all things. Not an imitation Christian or to imitate Christ in some aspects of his life or ministry but to actually become Christ-like, to be Christ, the Father’s beloved child in every way, in every word, thought, action and deed. The poverty of Christ scares us. We see it as an impossibility to attain. We are afraid to let go and allow God to provide for our needs. Trust is at the heart of faith. It is who Jesus is. It is what forms the bond and strengthens and keeps Jesus faithful to the loving covenant with the Father and all humanity. Fear is the result and consequence of sin. We are afraid because this world tells us to be. We lack trust because this world betrays us. We have lost faith and confidence because our family and friends lie to us, cheat us, and rob us of a joyful, faithful and loving relation with God our heavenly Father. However, the poor perfect love of Jesus casts out all fear. Jesus encourages us to follow him, to be him. If you embrace the poverty of the spirit of Jesus, which he inspires in the hearts of all of his faithful followers and disciples, Christ will enrich you in your poverty and strengthen you in your weakness, to trust that God always provides.