Gospel-inspired poverty

Find joy in a radical lifestyle. Continue seeking to do more, to give more, to serve more, to share more, and learn to do without many things so that you will be generous in living your vocation. Reduce your egotistical needs. Be more attentive to the calls that come from those who hunger for attention, encouragement, and stability. Put these before your need for comfort. As educators, you have to use many more things with respect to those foreseen for living the evangelical promise in simplicity. Remain detached. Do not allow the apostolic efficacy of the community to become an obstacle for living the challenges of the Word of God personally and in a shared manner.
And lastly, do not limit the concept of poverty only to "things" to have or not to have. Measure it against the evangelical radicality, living an intense life of absolute commitment in full joy. May your life be a living sacrifice. May it be a candle that is consumed in the service of the Lord for His people.

Bishop Thomas Menamparampil SDB

(Source: DMA Magazine, January-February 2010)