Evening Reflection On Neediness

When you ’need’ or ’strongly desire’ the gifts of the world—good food, good drink, coffee, music, exercise, travel, women, entertainment—they become added weight to your Cross.

But when you renounce the world and no longer need them, but accept them joyfully, and not in excess—their uplifting nature is restored and they ease the burden of your Cross.

To unveil your needs, go without serving yourself anything beyond survival necessity for a day, or a week, or a month. Then you’ll truly see how you’ve been laboring in vain, adding to the weight of your own Cross.

By doing this, you discipline your flesh and redeem the nature of gifts—replacing necessity with true joy.