Saint Gertrude Parish - Lasne

"Blessed are you who are poor"

Since almost all people are naturally inclined to pride, the Lord begins the Beatitudes by rejecting the original sin of self-sufficiency and advising us to imitate the truly poor and willing one who is truly blessed—so that we may resemble him through voluntary poverty, according to our ability, in order to share in his beatitude, his happiness. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:5-7).

What could be more wretched for God than to take on the condition of a slave? What could be more insignificant for the King of the universe than to share our human nature? The King of kings and Lord of lords, the Judge of the universe, pays taxes to Caesar (1 Tim 6:17; Heb 12:23; Mk 12:17). The Master of creation embraces this world, enters a cave, finds no room in an inn, and takes refuge in a stable, in the company of animals without reason. He who is pure and immaculate takes upon Himself the defilements of human nature, and after sharing all our misery, He goes so far as to experience death. Consider the immensity of His voluntary poverty! Life tastes death, the Judge is dragged before the tribunal, the Master of all life submits to a magistrate, the King of heavenly powers does not escape the hands of executioners. By this example, says the apostle Paul, his humility is measured (Phil 2:5-7).