When Jesus preached His Sermon on the Mount, He began with “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3   Surely it must be important if Jesus Himself placed it first.  How can we know if we are “poor in spirit?”   What does that really mean?  Do you picture someone down and out, depressed and discouraged?  I don’t think that’s what Jesus meant.

I’d like to share a personal story with you.   I have a very dear cousin, who as I write this is fighting Covid-19 in a Connecticut nursing home.   He will not survive, but he is blessed with kindly hospice nurses who will be certain that he suffers no pain.  I so admire him.  Due to a recent stroke, he has lost his sight and the ability to be up and about.  The coronavirus seemed to be the last straw.  I told him recently how much I admired him for keeping his spirits up in the midst of so much suffering.    His reply was simple.  He said, “Well, you know, I love everyone.  If anyone comes in and does something for me, I am grateful, no matter who it is.”  

That my friends, seems to me to be an example of “poor in spirit.” He humbly accepts the cross he has to bear  and he never loses his love for those around him.

Now I am not confined to a hospital bed.  Hopefully many of you are not either. Just what does “poor in spirit” mean for us?   A little research turned up some examples that were helpful to me.  I list three of them here.

He is not proud, he is always lowly in his own eyes.

He loves to give up his advantages for the benefit of others.

He takes heed to do the small things. No work is insignificant and no one is too small
to be served.

My life will never be filled with grand accomplishments, but I hope I can “do the small things.” I hope you can too. Our God fills us to overflowing with His unconditional love; we are called to humbly share that love for the benefit of others.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

Judy