Responsorial Psalm PS 49:2-3, 6-7, 8-10, 11

R. (Matthew 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs! Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all who dwell in the world, Of lowly birth or high degree, rich and poor alike. R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs! Why should I fear in evil days when my wicked ensnarers ring me round? They trust in their wealth; the abundance of their riches is their boast. R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs! Yet in no way can a man redeem himself, or pay his own ransom to God; Too high is the price to redeem one's life; he would never have enough to remain alive always and not see destruction. R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs! For he can see that wise men die, and likewise the senseless and the stupid pass away, leaving to others their wealth. R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Reflection

One of the Beatitudes; “Blessed are the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!”

What does “poor in spirit” means?

The first verse refers to “rich and poor alike” which suggests that it is not material related as both the wealthy and the impoverished can be “poor in spirit”.

The second verse tell us not to fear when the “wicked ensnarers” are those who “trust in their wealth” which leads to an emphasis on “trust”.

The third verse states that the debt we owe to God is impossible for us to pay even with our life as we “would never have enough to remain always and not see destruction”.

The final verse speaks about when men die they leave to others their wealth which alludes to "dependence".

So, linking the verses together, the “poor in spirit” place their trust and depends on God. After all, Jesus did pay our ransom so that we can go to heaven and be with him.

Let us pray the “Our Father” to remind us that He always provides for us and we can always trust and depend on the one that has laid down His life for us.