Lest You Remain

charity, whose tireless generosity has contributed and continues to contribute great- ly to making the world more human. Evangelical poverty at the service of the poor 90. Even before being a service on behalf of the poor, evangelical poverty is a value in itself, since it recalls the first of the Beatitudes in the imitation of the poor Christ.Its primary meaning, in fact, is to attest that God is the true wealth of the human heart. Precisely for this reason evangelical poverty forcefully challenges the idolatry of money, making a prophetic appeal as it were to society, which in so many parts of the developed world risks losing the sense of proportion and the very mean- ing of things. Thus, today more than in other ages, the call of evangelical poverty is being felt also among those who are aware of the scarcity of the planet’s resources and who invoke respect for and the conservation of creation by reducing consump- tion, by living more simply and by placing a necessary brake on their own desires. Consecrated persons are therefore asked to bear a renewed and vigorous evan- gelical witness to self-denial and restraint, in a form of fraternal life inspired by prin- ciples of simplicity and hospitality, also as an example to those who are indifferent to the needs of their neighbor. This witness will of course be accompanied by a prefer- ential love for the poor and will be shown especially by sharing the conditions of life of the most neglected. There are many communities which live and work among the poor and the marginalized; they embrace their conditions of life and share in their suf- ferings, problems and perils.Outstanding pages in the history of evangelical solidari- ty and heroic dedication have been written by consecrated persons in these years of profound changes and great injustices, of hopes and disappointments, of striking vic- tories and bitter defeats. And pages no less significant have been written and are still being written by very many other consecrated persons, who live to the full their life “hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:3) for the salvation of the world, freely giving of themselves, and spending their lives for causes which are little appreciated and even less extolled. In these various and complementary ways, the consecrated life shares in the radical poverty embraced by the Lord, and fulfills its specific role in the sav- ing mystery of his Incarnation and redeeming Death. From Founder’s Writings ( Inspectio cordis , k. 164r–165r) 1. You should very carefully focus on meditating on the virtue of poverty. The deeper the greed and love of possessions are hidden, the more carefully should they be traced, uncovered and rejected. Check whether you or not you are emotionally attached to any thing, even something for which you have permission. And while large and numerous material possessions obtained legally do not do any harm to many, it may be quite the opposite with you. Even the tiniest thing, if you desire it too L EST Y OU R EMAIN W ITHOUT W ORK IN THE V INEYARD OF THE L ORD 42