BLESSED ARE THE POOR
The Church’s social doctrine is marked with a “preferential option for the poor” PCP 11 asserts that this option, following Christ’s own, takes on great urgency in our country where a very great number of our people wallow in abject poverty and misery, while tremendous social privileges and deference are accorded the rich and powerful. ( PCP 11 312 )
This option, however, must be properly understood. The Church obviously desires to bring the message of salvation to every human being, to every culture and social environment, but in the first place to those who are most in need. Thus “the preference for the poor is a Christian preference,” for Christ came to proclaim a message of salvation to the poor (cf. John Paul 11, to people of Tondo,3). It is an “option in the exercise of Christian charity to which the whole tradition of the Church bears witness. It affects the life of each Christian inasmuch as he or she seeks to imitate the life of Christ. But it applies equally to our social responsibilities and hence to our manner of living.(CFC1187)
Word of God : Lk 6:20-23
The poor incarnate the evangelical values in their lives:
Blest are you poor, the reign of God is yours;
Blest are you who hunger, you shall be filled;
Blest are you who are weeping, you shall laugh.
Blest shall you be when men hate you, when they ostracize you and
insult you and proscribe your name as evil because of the Son of Man…
Rejoice and exult, for your reward shall be great in heaven.
Values/Attitude
Kindness Generosity Empathy Charity Detachment
Doctrine: Love for the poor
God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them.” Give to him who begs from you, do not refuse him who would barrow from you”; “ you received without pay, give without pay”( Mt5:42)It is by what they have done for the poor that Jesus Christ will recognize his chosen ones ( Mt25:31-36) When the poor have the good news preached to them” it is the sign of Christ’s presence. ( Lk 4:18 ) The Church’s love for the poor is a part of her constant tradition .This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus and of his concern for the poor. Love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to be able to give to those in need.( Eph 4:28) It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty.(CCC 2444)
Moral
St. Luke does not speak of poverty “of spirit” but simply of those who are “poor”(cf.Lk6:20). In this way, he too invites us to live a plain and austere life. He calls us to share in the life of those most in need, the life lived by the Apostles, and ultimately to configure ourselves to Jesus who, though rich, “made himself poor” (2 Cor8:9)
Worship
The ultimate criterion on which our lives will be judged is what we have done for others. Prayer is most precious, for it nourishes a daily commitment to love. Our worship becomes pleasing to God when we devote ourselves to living generously, and allow God’s gift, granted in prayer, to be shown in our concern for our brothers and sisters. This is the worship most acceptable to God.(GE 104)
Faith Response
Affirmation : Appreciation of the blessedness of the poor
Commitment: Giving hopeful advice to the confused and weary
Celebration : Prayer for solidarity with the poor
Compassionate and loving God,
We praise you for the many gifts you provide us
May we be mindful of those who go without, each and every day. Help us to
provide the resources needed for our brothers and sisters. Burdened by the
suffering caused by poverty and oppression, Let our work this day be a reminder
of our interconnectedness with all your beloved children. Open our eyes to see
the needs of the community. Cleanse our ears to hear the cries of the poor.
Anoint our hands and feet to be instruments in fulfilling your justice. We ask
this all through your Son Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit one God forever and ever, Amen.
