Overcoming Spiritual Poverty
In order to overcome my spiritual poverty in every possible way, I intend always to ask with outstretched hand, in the name of the most perfect charity, for spiritual alms from all past, present and future creatures, each one infinitely multiplied at every infinitesimal moment. (OOCC, X, pp. 144 - 145; STA, 196)
St. Vincent Pallotti considered himself as a person who was spiritually poor. In comparison to the great spiritual richness of God, he believed that he was utterly poor spiritually. All through his life he attempted to overcome the spiritual poverty from which he believed that he was suffering. He believed that he needed the assistance of every person in overcoming it. He imagined himself as a person who was in need of spiritual alms. For his spiritual alms, he approached not only God and the saints of all ages, but also all past, present and future creatures of this world. He was ever ready to be a beggar of spiritual support from one and all in his effort to overcome his spiritual poverty. Such was the spirit of humility with which St. Vincent visualized himself. But he was a very holy and God-fearing person. There was a lot of spiritual richness in the life of St. Vincent, with which he constantly enriched many persons. Yet, when he viewed himself in relation to the great richness of God, he saw himself as “nothing and sin.” It is his desire to be more like God which made St. Vincent acknowledge his sinfulness. The acknowledgement of his sinfulness made him seek God with the support of every creature.
Do I have the honesty to see my spiritual blindness? Does the acknowledgment of my spiritual poverty help me to move towards the richness of God? Am I ready to seek the help of God and others to overcome my spiritual poverty? Do I make honest efforts to become spiritually richer?
Live no longer as the unsaved do, for they are blinded and confused. Their closed hearts are full of darkness … If you have really heard his [Christ’s] voice … throw off your old nature … Clothe yourself with this new nature. (Eph. 4: 18, 21, 24)