For many, poverty is a scandal; for a long time, it was considered a punishment. Yet, men and women take a vow of poverty, choose it as a partner in their lives.
In our world where the quest for "ever more" most often masks uneasiness, a contemporary Carthusian gives us his teaching on the meaning and richness of assumed, if not freely chosen, poverty.
Drawing on the sources of the Bible and monastic experience, it addresses in particular the meaning of poverty and the criticism of wealth in the Old Testament; the prayer of the poor; how to live in the following of Christ considered as "the poor" par excellence; contemplative poverty. Drawing also from his experience, the author shows to what extent the fact of recognizing himself as small and poor gives meaning to the mysteries of life, suffering, trial, loneliness, sin, forgiveness, gratitude, abandonment, praise, joy and peace.
The poor man doesn't run away from himself. The poor thing is unmasked us.
