By Johannes Baptist Metz. Published by Paulist Press, 1998. Reviewed by Mike O'Brien

I spend a significant amount of time and energy engaging with issues of material poverty, especially as this affects children and families. The levels of child poverty in this country are a scandal, especially as there are a number of actions that can easily be taken to reduce the scourge of poverty.

It is, therefore, an interesting challenge to read Poverty of Spirit as it engages with a dimension of poverty which doesn’t always receive much attention. The author sets out a series of brief essays (around 4–6 pages each) which engage and encourage reflection on aspects of and questions about "poverty of spirit". These engage with human beings’ spiritual relationships with their God and their relationships with other human beings. In these essays we are regularly and thoughtfully challenged to reflect on our own relationships in both these areas, and encouraged to strengthen — with great benefits to ourselves — both our relationships and the communities in which we are located. There is much here for individuals, families and small groups to work with and I could see the essays providing fertile ground for study groups.

I found myself thinking often about the questions and issues being raised and their implications for my life. They left me reflecting on my own work, relationships and commitments. Through consideration of the spiritual the work on material poverty is strengthened — poverty of spirit supplements that work rather than replaces it.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 238 June 2019: 28