Poor In Spirit

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.

But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them. (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13)

Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (Mt 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." (Matthew 5:1-12)

Today’s Old Testament reading from Zephaniah begins with a statement about humility: “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility…I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD.” 

This reading is followed by Psalm 146 with the response: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!”  This Psalm is tied to the Gospel from Matthew that provides the Beatitudes beginning with: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

The Gospel according to Luke is quite different: “Blessed are the poor…”  There is no reference to “spirit.” Thus, the big difference.

To be “poor in spirit” means to be humble.  Therefore, the reference to Zephaniah provides the Gospel writer’s emphasis on humility, not poverty.

Why would these Gospel writers quoting Jesus be so different: humility versus poverty?  We can only guess.  Perhaps Luke was more aware of and concerned about the poverty of his audience.  Perhaps Matthew wrote to confront those who were arrogant and concerned only about themselves and their status at the expense of the poor.  

What does it mean to be humble?  When we are humble, we put others first; we listen; we are not proud and arrogant; we are modest.  We are not insignificant, inferior, or subservient.  

Yes, blessed are the poor in spirit – the humble who take refuge in the name of the LORD: those who shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue.  Hmmm… How many of us actually are poor in spirit?  That’s a challenging question that begs an answer from each one of us.

Deacon David Pierce