Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 467 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 467 - Part II. Why does Jesus demand that we practice “poverty in spirit”?

(Youcat answer - repeated) “Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9).   

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2557) "I want to see God" expresses the true desire of man. Thirst for God is quenched by the water of eternal life (cf. In 4:14). (CCC 2546) "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3). The Beatitudes reveal an order of happiness and grace, of beauty and peace. Jesus celebrates the joy of the poor, to whom the Kingdom already belongs (Cf. Lk 6:20): The Word speaks of voluntary humility as "poverty in spirit"; the Apostle gives an example of God's poverty when he says: "For your sakes he became poor" (St. Gregory of Nyssa, De beatitudinibus 1: PG 44, 1200D; cf. 2 Cor 8:9).       

Reflecting and meditating  

(Youcat comment) Young people, too, experience inner emptiness. But experiencing this sort of poverty is not just something bad. I simply have to seek with my whole heart the one who can fill my emptiness and make wealth out of my poverty. That is why Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3).   

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2547) The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods (Lk 6:24). "Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven" (St. Augustine, De serm. Dom. in monte 1, 1, 3: PL 34, 1232). Abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow (Cf. Mt 6:25-34). Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor. They shall see God. 

(The next question is: What should a person yearn for most?)