Pray for the Poor Among Us

Pray for the Poor Among Us

One advantage of reading the Liturgy of the Hours is a number of saints on their day of entry into heaven.  There is one common denominator for many that stands out as significant, their love for the poor.  In fact, this attribute is so ominous that you can not read their history or with some their biography just once.  The poverty is not only monetary, in fact that sometimes is the least malady.  

Sickness, such as leprosy and other devastating diseases stand out as common illnesses that these workers for God devote a lot of their time with.  Of course, if we encounter someone with aids and other 21st century maladies our recommendations are to guide them to institutions that are designated organizations for them.  

As we read the ministry of Jesus and his encounter with many who were untouchable his compassion and healing was for anyone who needed help.  Jesus never counted the cost of healing someone when they approached the master.  

Think first of all the time Jesus read from Isaiah in the temple; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.  He sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”  (Lk. 4: 18 -19).  This scripture from Luke is in addition to three other passages from Luke that sets the standard for his ministry; adherence to the poor.  Also, Lk illustrates with the Sermon on the Plain; “Blessed are the poor” (Lk. 6: 20-23), “Go tell John what you have seen and heard; the blind regain their sight, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”  (Lk.7: 22).  “When you have a banquet invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.”  (Lk. 14: 13). 

The saints who treat the poor, the downtrodden, and the sick are just following the dictates of Jesus who looked after those who were outside the norm of the day.  

We are in a society that appears to reject easily the needs of the poor, especially whose poverty is more than monetary, it is contagions that we would rather not even talk about.  Yet, this is where the true love of God’s concern lies with those whom no one cares about.  When John’s disciples sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one to come, the answer was primarily for the poor.

If one wants to follow Jesus and eminate his ministry, find that path with those whom no one else will reach out to.   

Can we who are looking for an answer to Lent and its impact on our 40 days reflect on what Jesus and so many saints spent the crux of ministry towards our salvation by loving the poor. 

Ralph B. Hathaway, the poor amongst us!