499 part iv: meditations for weekly retreats Besides, the Truth Himself openly testified that it is very difficult for the rich to enter into everlasting life: “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mt 19:24). On the other hand, the same Truth says that the poor are heirs to everlasting wealth: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). 1 Our Father. 1 Hail Mary. MEDITATION VIII ON THE SAME VIRTUE 1. Consider that you shall render to God a strict account of all virtues, and especially of poverty. For He cherished this virtue beyond all others; He particularly recommended it in His evangelical counsels and commandments, since He ordered the apostles to walk without a traveling bag and walking stick (cf. Mt 10:10; Lk 9:3) and wanted those who would like to follow Him to renounce the world, their friends, their riches, and all things (cf. Mt 16:24-26). As for you, having followed the teaching and encouragement of the Savior, you have dispossessed yourself on account of Him, denying, forsaking, fleeing from the world and its goods and your parents living in this world. Wherefore it would be disgraceful and abominable should you now seek these things, or things indeed viler than whose which you have nobly and more than heroically spurned and abandoned out of the love for God Himself, and not for some friend. Therefore, make a self-examination now: First of all, of your feelings: whether you have not developed an attachment to things that were given to you for use? Secondly, of your desire: whether you have not desired things that another possesses by the Superior’s permission; and whether with some dejection, not to say grumbling or pain, you have parted from things you lost or received?
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