Poverty of Spirit (Revised Edition)

A very brief but dense text that takes you to the core of spirituality. Read it in small bits.

Didn't understand this the first time through because I read it too quickly. Reading it now slowly (and aloud) and I am seeing what the author is getting at. ========== Update 2006-10-23 - Heh, almost finished reading this, and to be honest I don't get it. It's fairly abstract - I'd find it helpful if there were concrete examples of applying these principles to the daily life of a typical layperson.

This is the first of the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3). The subsequent ones are merely variations on this first one. Accomplishing this one will accomplish them all.To be poor in spirit is to shed oneself of all security, identity, importance, power, etc., anything that separates us from our humanity, and from God himself. The last days of Christ reveal the true meaning of what it is to be a human being, completely defenseless, stripped even of one's clothing, and abandoned by one's supporters. He resisted all temptation to call upon his divine powers throughout, choosing instead to embrace and experience in full the humann experience. To complete this experience is the cornerstone of Christ's Victory, and the cornerstone of the path of salvation for his followers.When Christ utters the words "Eloi, Eloi, why have you forsaken me?" the impoverishment is complete, his victory is complete, his life is complete, and the new covenant is established.This is a book to read in a single evening. It is only 60 very small pages. But it is a book that will take a lifetime to really understand. It is a map to the kingdom of heaven.

Metz singles out poverty as the key to salvation and union with God because poverty as he sees it is the summit and fulfillment of our natures and our participation in creation. Poverty of spirit recognizes the essential unfulfillment of the present human state, the poverty of lacking union with God. God is humanity's highest and only good; poverty of spirit recognizes the forlorn state of humanity. All pride and accomplishment which does not tend towards spiritual poverty is mere vanity and self-reliance. It is, as Metz points out, a devastating realization to become poor in spirit if one puts great stock in pride and oneself; the point of poverty of spirit is God and our need for Him, not some self-glorification or accomplishment. This book preaches an understanding of how humanity substantially relates to God: we are poor and broken and have an infinite longing for nothing but Him. Metz does an outstanding job of relaying these very difficult concepts in a clear and concise fashion.

An intelligent,conscise book that get's straight to the point about the message and proper insight into the teachings of Jesus without useless filler. This is a book to be read and studied in its simplistic, clear cut instructions on how to obtain purpose and fulfillment in this life. I would compare this book with Emmet Foxs' "Lord's Prayer" Short but full of wisdom!