Brennan Manning records the following quote in his book “The Furious Longing of God”:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who lack a spirit of cleverness.
Woe to the rich, and woe to the doubly rich in spirit!
Although nothing is impossible with God, it is difficult for the Spirit to move their fat hearts.
The poor are willing and easy to direct.
Like little puppies they do not take their eyes from their master’s hand to see if perhaps he may throw them a little morsel from his plate.
So carefully do the poor follow my promptings that they listen to the wind (which blows where it pleases), even when it changes.
From the sky they can read the weather and interpret the signs of the times.
My grace is unpretentious, but the poor are satisfied with little gifts.
–Hans Urs Von Balthasar
