Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

When the faithful are called upon to consider the plight of the poor and vulnerable of our world it can be a painful and heart- wrenching experience. Although difficult, we need to be deeply challenged in order to continue our spiritual growth.

Sacred scripture is filled with clear references to God’s preferential love for the poor. Pope Francis states the case in Evangelii Gaudium, no 179.

"As you did it to one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it to me" (Mt 25:40). The way we treat others has
a transcendent dimension: "The measure you give will be the measure you get" (Mt 7:2). It corresponds to the mercy which God has shown us: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be
given to you . . . For the measure you give will be the measure you get back" (Lk 6:36-38). What these passages make clear is the absolute priority of "going forth from ourselves toward our brothers and sisters" as one of the two great command- ments which ground every moral norm and as the clearest sign for discerning spiritual growth in response to God's complete- ly free gift.

The Catholic Catechism, nos. 2444, 2448 speaks of Christ’s love for the poor:

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. . . . "Those who are oppressed by poverty are the object of a preferential love on the part of the Church which, since her origin and in spite of the failings of many of her members, has not ceased to work for their relief, defense, and liberation.

In their document Economic Justice for All the bishops of the United States teach concerning our responsibility to the poor of our society:

The needs of the poor take priority over the desires of the rich; the rights of workers over the maximization of profits; the preserva- tion of the environment over uncontrolled industrial expansion; the production to meet social needs over production for military pur- poses

The bishops remind us that we have a real responsibility to care for the poor and make them a priority. We need to work for an end of injustice and poverty in our nation and throughout the entire world.