The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life

Martin begins the chapter by focusing on the three vows a Jesuit takes: poverty, chastity, and obedience. He writes that these goals may seem antithetical to 21st-century culture. The vows have roots both theological and logistical. They find their inspiration in Scripture, and the three vows also contribute to the values of religious community. This chapter focuses on poverty.

He begins by telling a story about Anthony de Mello, an Indian Jesuit, who himself told a story about a sannyasi (a Hindu wise man) who gave away a diamond without thinking anything of it. The lesson is that freedom from physical possessions is key to spiritual freedom.

Martin then describes how he gave away his possessions when he entered the novitiate. He no longer had to worry about what he was going to wear or where he would live. However, he notes that it’s not that Jesus is asking everyone to give up their possessions; rather, one should think of it in terms of reaching greater closeness to God.

Simplicity saves time in freeing a person from having to worry about possessions. It also prevents comparison with what others. It also saves one from being concerned about buying things in the long run, freeing them from the cycle of owning things.