The Be-Attitudes: Poor in Spirit

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

Mother Teresa is the first person to come to mind as I read this verse. I used to think of her as worthy of respect mainly because of the images I had seen of her caring for the suffering, the downtrodden, and the dying. I often wondered how she could selflessly devote much of her life and resources to this task. Yet, until recently, while reading a biographical article on this dear soul, I came to see her as more than just a humanitarian. I began to see her spiritual convictions, which were the answer to her tireless, selfless efforts to help humanity. Mother Teresa cared not only for the physical needs of the suffering but also wanted to see the spiritual brokenness of those she encountered healed.

Before her death, she said she desired to "bring them directly to the heart of Jesus."

I thought about this. Undoubtedly, there is a lot of physical suffering in the world. Still, equally, there is an abundance of spiritual pain, too. Mother Teresa understood that physical healing was temporal, but spiritual healing was eternal.

Jesus said that the attitude of our minds and hearts must first and foremost be to understand and accept not only our physical shortcomings that bring pain but also the spiritual brokenness that leaves us helpless, defenseless, and in need of rescue by Jesus.

To receive the gospel, the kingdom of God, into our hearts is not impossible. Instead, it depends on our spiritual condition's "Be" attitude - that we, too, are broken, defenseless, and in great need of "being brought directly to the heart of Jesus."

May each of us desires a heart that understands the brokenness of the human heart, its great need for rescue, and the unending longing to be near the heart of Jesus.

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