detachment

532. What does Jesus call for in poverty of spirit? 2544-2547 2556 Jesus calls his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone. Detachment from riches – in the spirit of evangelical poverty – and self-abandonment to divine providence free us from anxiety about the future and prepare us for the blessedness of the “poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mathew 5:3). 533. What is the greatest human desire? 2548-2550 2557 The greatest desire of the human person is to see God. “I want to see God” is the cry of our whole being. We realize our true and full happiness in the vision and beatitude of the One who created us out of love and draws us to himself with infinite love. “Whoever sees God has obtained all the goods of which he can conceive.” (Saint Gregory of Nyssa) Part Four Christian Prayer Section One Prayer in the Christian Life 534. What is prayer? 2558-2565 2590 Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God, or the petition of good things from him in accord with his will. It is always the gift of God who comes to encounter man. Christian prayer is the personal and living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is infinitely good, with his Son Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit who dwells in their hearts.