13 March 2023
Monday of the Third Week of Lent
St. Ignatius Loyola wanted poverty to be a profound characteristic of the newly founded Society of Jesus. All Jesuits would make a vow of poverty. Even more, fully professed Jesuits would have to cover their costs of living by relying upon alms alone, but not upon fixed income. In other words, they would beg constantly, but without making large investments and living off the interest. St. Ignatius did make an exception, though, for Jesuits who were still in training. He did allow them to use investment income to cover tuition. After St. Ignatius died, over the following decades, other exceptions were made. Adaptations to strict rules on poverty allowed the Society of Jesus to expand its activities into an astonishing array of unforeseeable circumstances. Still, it remained important for Jesuits to live in the spirit of poverty. In his Spiritual Exercises St. Ignatius warned Jesuits about demons that tempt souls with the love of money, and from there proceed to other vices.
For example, consider the case of Gehazi, the servant of the great prophet Elisha. After Elisha cured a mighty warrior named Naaman of his leprosy, he was offered a great deal of money as a reward. The holy prophet declined the offer, choosing to live in strict poverty and trusting God to supply his simple needs. The prophet’s servant, Gehazi, on the other hand, succumbed to the temptation of riches. He secretly ran out after the entourage of the warrior, Naaman, to collect the reward and keep it for himself. When Elisha found out what had happened, his prophecy for Gehazi was a bitter one: “the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” Gehazi, the wicked servant, went away with leprosy, it says, “as white as snow.”
Beware the temptation of riches. Learn to make do with fewer temporal goods. Rely more upon eternal goods.