Thirty-First Meditation

(Ascent of Mount Carmel, book III: chapter 20)

"There is great gain in godliness with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. " (64)


The Joy of Detachment

Possession is a heavy mist
Which leaves the heart all dank and cold:
It grasps each thing with a tight fist;
The heart's, in turn, held and controlled.

Detachment dawns, with Truth's own light,
To clear the cold dense mist and free
Her heart from cares and clear her sight --
Establishing tranquility.

Detached from both creatures and things,
Her heart is freed of their demands.
With joy that true liberty brings,
She holds them both with open hands.

The joy of heaven's clear and free
Of all that binds true liberty.

64. 1 Timothy 6: 6-10


(c) Paul Buis, 2003