Talk; Detachment

As I looked at the word detachment in the English dictionary, it is defined as - a state of being disinterested, impartial or aloof; which is quite the opposite of the supernatural detachment that we’re going to consider.

True detachment, on the contrary is the process of continuously living the heroic virtues; of generosity in self-giving, courage in dying to self, fortitude on self-denial, charity on interest in other’s needs. It demands greatness of heart that can only be achieved when one has true relationship with our Lord, through our life of piety; in prayer, mortification and sacrifice. So, detachment then can be defined as self-denial, self-renunciation or freedom.

Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me”. This is the condition of true discipleship, to die to self and taking up our cross. We know this is not an easy task, but with faith and confidence in the Lord, it is possible. We can repeat throughout the day these aspirations; “Not a day without the cross”, “Lord, help me to take up my cross and follow thee”, “Lord, help me to die to self that you may live”.

In the gospel of the rich young man who runs to Jesus and asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

We are all seeking for the true Good-that is God alone. And by moral standards the rich young man is a good man; he prays, he doesn’t defraud or cheat, he kept the commandments. But there is still something missing, he’s not complete.   Jesus said, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” This is God’s invitation to all of us- Jesus is inviting us to a vocational love of commitment, to make something greater. We need to correspond to his invitation; the emptying of our hearts is so essential in following our Lord so he can feel us with his love, we need to empty our hearts from stuff. These are the little things that we do, the day to day work that we offer to God.

A common misconception about happiness is that if one attains all the goals he/she desire, then one will be happy. However, the reality is just the opposite.  Attachment is the great fabrication of illusions! Why? Because nothing is absolute. God is the only objective truth that can give us happiness.

And we know the rest of the story of the rich young man, he went home sad because he has great possessions and he was too attached to his wealth. Attachment then only leads to suffering; in envy, lack of confidence, hatred, fear, anger. Detachment on the other hand leads to freedom, peace of mind and heart, serenity, contentment and desire to serve others.

Detachment is presented to us in countless different ways throughout the Bible; Abraham, who did not hesitate to offer his son to God, the Samaritan woman, who did not cling to her jar where water is precious, the Canaanite mother, who was not offended of what the Lord said, the woman who broke her alabaster jar and anointed our Lord with expensive oil, Peter and the disciples who abandoned everything.

We can learn much from the poor widow whom Jesus praised, who puts all her living in the treasury box. She is a strong woman who doesn’t shy away from what people will say, but rather she is daring, determined, courageous and has total abandonment in God’s hands.  And Jesus praised her for her generosity. He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

This is something we can consider in the presence of our Lord; How do we live the virtue of poverty and detachment. Are we generous like the poor widow who give wholeheartedly all she has? Do we give ourselves to others in need?  Do we bring to our prayer our financial contributions? Do we keep a vigilant attitude and self-discipline not to cling on things, people and out will? We need to draw some practical ideas on ways how to live the virtue of poverty and detachments in our family. Poverty doesn’t mean shabbiness, but cleanliness order, good home management and using our time well.

Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where rust and moth consume, and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

St. Josemaria in homilies "Friends of God", said; “I want you to be completely convinced that, if we really want to follow Our Lord closely and be of real service to God and the whole of mankind, then we must be thoroughly detached from ourselves, our intellectual talents, our health, our good name, our noble ambitions, our triumphs and successes.

I would also include — because your decision ought to go that far — the high ideals which lead us to seek only to give all the glory to God and to praise him. We can ensure our detachment by tailoring our will to this clear and precise rule: 'Lord, I want this or that only if it pleases you, because, if not, I'm not the slightest bit interested.' By acting in this way, we are dealing a mortal blow to the selfishness and vanity that lurk in every conscience. At the same time, we will find true peace of soul through this selfless conduct that leads to an ever more intimate and intense possession of God.”

Resources; St. Josemaria.org, St Josemaria Institute Podcast, SoundCloud; Spiritual Batteries