Lest You Remain

examine yourself concerning the issues which may threaten the chastity of your soul. Topic V : EVANGELICAL POVERTY The Word of the Lord (Mt 19:23-30) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you , it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the king- dom of God. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up hous- es or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. Church’s Documents (VC, 89-90) The challenge of poverty 89. Another challenge today is that of a materialism which craves possessions, heedless of the needs and sufferings of the weakest, and lacking any concern for the balance of natural resources. The reply of the consecrated life is found in the pro- fession of evangelical poverty, which can be lived in different ways and is often expressed in an active involvement in the promotion of solidarity and charity. How many Institutes devote themselves to education, training and professional forma- tion, preparing young people and those no longer young to become builders of their own future! How many consecrated persons give themselves without reserve in the service of the most disadvantaged people on earth! How many of them work to train future educators and leaders of society, so that they in turn will be committed to eliminating structures of oppression and to promoting projects of solidarity for the benefit of the poor! Consecrated persons fight to overcome hunger and its caus- es; they inspire the activities of voluntary associations and humanitarian organiza- tions; and they work with public and private bodies to promote a fair distribution of international aid. Nations truly owe a great deal to these enterprising agents of Program of Vigils 41