HOLY POVERTY

O Holy Poverty to which is promised the kingdom of heaven;

O Holy Poverty which is accompanied by many precious heavenly gifts and a happy, restful life.

O Holy Poverty to which our Creator has set such great value: "The Son of Man has not whereon to lay His head."

Christ embraced poverty that man may become rich in heavenly things.

Thou cannot serve two masters without displeasing one or the other.

When thou goest into combat, thou cannot be hampered by many garments. So, dispose of these worldly adornments which the enemy uses as snares to capture us.

O sisters, how difficult is it to live in splendour in this world and then reign with Christ in heaven.

It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.

So, throw away all superfluous garments, the goods of this world, to be freer in combat and enter the narrow way.

O fortunate exchange, to leave earthly goods for heavenly good, to merit immortal honour for useless honours, to gain a hundredfold while giving up one.

(02-06-04)