POVERTY AND RIGHTS
My Dearest Sister Florentina,
I am concerned about you because
you are my sister. Be well acquainted with the patience and
poverty of Job, so you will not be discouraged by adversity nor, on the
other hand, be lifted up by prosperity. For Job was wealthy in goods,
but humble in heart.
You will be blessed if you give
thanks to God both in adversity and in poverty; so consider the prosperity
of this life as smoke that easily vanishes. David was king, yet he was
humble. So, do not take delight in earthly possessions nor rejoice in
worldly gains; and do not be saddened by losses. The things that are
loved for the sake of possessing them cause the user pain when they
perish. Do not wish to be honoured in the world. Do not wish to
be called "head" or "chief". For Christ was God
and chose to be called a servant to show us that poverty is
enriching.
Follow the footsteps of your
Bridegroom with unwearied pace, lest you find yourself with a Bridegroom who
is unwilling to accept you when He sees you to be so unlike Him. This
I say, that you should put little value on the possessions of the world and
not too greatly desire them and not consider as great those whom you see to
be rich in the world.
Ordinarily, God gives temporal
riches to those He will deny eternal riches; but God also gives it to those
He is sure will not become proud therefrom. The good become rich by
the mercy of God; and, through God's mercy, become poor. In either
case, the good is grateful to God. Riches, however, is given to the
wicked by way of punishment, that their joy may turn to woe; and when the
wealth is taken away, they are removed by way of punishment, that they may
grieve for their wealth. Wealth and poverty is a blessing to the good;
but a punishment for the wicked.
The Blessed Virgin Mary was so
poor in goods but rich in the Lord. At the time she gave birth, she
had neither mid-wife nor maid-servant. Joseph was also poor; but he
was a just man. He had to work for his food and clothing. So, do
not desire riches, "For those who seek to become rich, fall into
temptations and into the snare of the devil and into many useless and
harmful desires." That is why wealth is more apt to befall those
who despise it than those who pursue it.
St. Leander of Seville: "The
Training of Nuns" Chap. 23
(05-20-05)
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