The Paradox of Poverty - by Susan R Pitchford (Paperback)

About the Book

"Susan Pitchford examines the ways in which followers of Christ have understood "poverty of spirit," and the traditions that have formed around their attempts to follow Jesus on this radical path. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," Jesus said, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." And we smile, nod, and think: "Lovely thought." But if we're paying attention, it's a shocking, almost offensive thought. The grieving, the brokenhearted, the marginalized, the stigmatized-all blessed, all happy? In The Paradox of Poverty, Susan Pitchford examines the ways in which followers of Christ have understood "poverty of spirit," and the traditions that have formed around their attempts to follow Jesus on this radical path. Over the centuries, those who have heard Jesus have learned the truth of his promise that we will find the greatest happiness, our deepest fulfillment-the kingdom of heaven, in fact, our blessedness and our belovedness-in the things that seem to impoverish our souls. The Paradox of Poverty looks at some of the wisdom traditions that have formed this understanding: the scriptures, the desert mothers and fathers, the Franciscans, Liberation theologians, the 12 Step movement, and more. At both individual and collective levels, these traditions help us understand that varied kinds of poverty can become a "blessing" by bringing us to know our belovedness in God"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Susan Pitchford examines the ways in which followers of Christ have understood "poverty of spirit," and the traditions that have formed around their attempts to follow Jesus on this radical path.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit," Jesus said, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." And we smile, nod, and think: "Lovely thought." But if we're paying attention, it's a shocking, almost offensive thought. The grieving, the brokenhearted, the marginalized, the stigmatized--all blessed, all happy? In The Paradox of Poverty, Susan Pitchford examines the ways in which followers of Christ have understood "poverty of spirit," and the traditions that have formed around their attempts to follow Jesus on this radical path.

Over the centuries, those who have heard Jesus have learned the truth of his promise that we will find the greatest happiness, our deepest fulfillment--the kingdom of heaven, in fact, our blessedness and our belovedness--in the things that seem to impoverish our souls. TheParadox of Poverty looks at some of the wisdom traditions that have formed this understanding: the Scriptures, the desert mothers and fathers, the Franciscans, liberation theologians, the 12-Step movement, and more. At both individual and collective levels, these traditions help us understand that varied kinds of poverty can become a "blessing" by bringing us to know our belovedness in God.

Review Quotes

"Susan Pitchford's beautiful new book could not be more perfectly timed. In a world where division and doubt seem to be gaining the upper hand, she calls us back to our belovedness and to the countercultural paths of surrender, spiritual poverty, and devotion that lead us ever deeper into the heart of God."
Mary DeTurris Poust, writer, retreat leader, and spiritual director

-- (5/29/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"A wise old Franciscan friar once said that we moderns have forgotten the secret to a life in God, namely, that 'God is powerless and we keep looking for God where there is power.' But, as Susan Pitchford beautifully explains in these pages, this powerlessness of God is paradoxically the real power, the power of the poverty of God who did not cling to divinity but emptied himself by becoming human and dying on a cross. Those who enter into God through the portal of that seemingly powerless poverty are those whom Jesus calls 'the poor in spirit.' Why Jesus does so and why he also calls them 'blessed' are at the heart of Pitchford's fascinating book. It is the story of how and when the powerlessness of poverty becomes the power of God in us. I found The Paradox of Poverty a profound and moving read."

Murray Bodo, OFM, author of Francis: The Journey and the Dream

-- (5/6/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"Poverty is a recurring theme of Christian wisdom: it's a defining concern in Jesus' teaching, a central principle in Franciscan spirituality, and a core issue in liberation theology. But I imagine many of us might pair admiration for the poverty of saints like Mother Teresa with an equally firm desire to avoid poverty for ourselves! Susan Pitchford writes with clarity and insight, and in The Paradox of Poverty she draws a number of surprising connections and conclusions to help us form a nuanced understanding of poverty, and to recognize why it remains an important touchstone for both nurturing our inner lives and giving shape to our collective mission. If you want to appreciate both the power and the tensions beneath 'Blessed are the poor, ' this book is a wonderful resource."

Carl McColman, author of Read the Bible Like a Mystic and Eternal Heart

-- (4/28/2025 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Susan Pitchford retired from teaching sociology after thirty years at the University of Washington. She now focuses on writing, speaking, preaching, leading retreats, and offering spiritual direction. Susan is the author of Following Francis: The Franciscan Way for Everyone; God in the Dark: Suffering and Desire in the Spiritual Life; and The Sacred Gaze: Contemplation and the Healing of the Self. She is also a regular contributor to Give Us This Day.