Spiritually Poor

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." ~Matthew 5:3

The poor in spirit. I had always thought this meant something like "humble", referring to those who really were close to Jesus, but went around hanging their heads in holy humility.

No.

The poor in spirit. The spiritually poor. Those who have "a sense of their spiritual poverty".

In other words, they are spiritually sick, and they know it. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What???!

Isn't heaven for those who are spiritually strong and thriving?

No. It's for the spiritually poor. The ones who despair because they are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (See MB 6-7.) It's for me.

Really??

"Those who know that they cannot possibly save themselves, or of themselves do any righteous action, are the ones who appreciate the help that Christ can bestow. They are the poor in spirit, whom He declares to be blessed." (MB 7)

"Whatever may have been your past experience, however discouraging your present circumstances, if you will come to Jesus just as you are, weak, helpless, and despairing, our compassionate Saviour will meet you a great way off, and will throw about you His arms of love and His robe of righteousness. He presents us to the Father...saying: I have taken the sinner's place. Look not upon this wayward child, but look on Me." (MB 9)

How comforting....