ASSOCIATING WITH OUTCASTS AND THE POOR

Jesus did not hesitate in associating with the lowly and those whom society and the religious leadership had rejected. How well do we follow Jesus’ example? It is rarely easy to go against the trend in society, but generally speaking, in matters regarding the poor and the outcast, this would seem to be the Christian’s duty. If we go back a few centuries in European history we will discover that the Church did the vast majority of social service welfare. Even today it is not much different in many countries. I know, for example, that more than 90 percent of palliative care is provided through Catholic institutions, as are about 30 percent of the hospital beds and schools. If the Catholic Church was to forego its ministry in these situations, the cost for the government of Australia would be enormous. This is one of the reasons why the government is willing to subsidize these Catholic social works.

But what about each of us as individuals? How are we reaching out to those less fortunate than we are? How are we drawing the outcasts back into our society so that they can be cared for? These are questions we each have to answer, challenges that we each have to face.

There is a strong tradition in Catholic thought that it is the poor who will welcome the rich into heaven. If this is the case, and it is definitely true in spirit if not in reality, then one of the priorities of the rich must be to cultivate good relationships with the poor. The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus ought to be required material for reflection for everyone so that we can understand the imperative nature of this calling. We only get one chance at life, so we had better make the best of it.

The saints give witness to the multitude of ways in which we can place our lives in the service of our brothers and sisters. Let us study their lives and motives and learn from them as we seek to put in place the right balance of activities in our lives.Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

How can I better reach out to those in need in my neighborhood? I know I cannot solve all the problems of all the people but I think I can help with some of them.

 

Father, give me the strength to incorporate in my life all the different aspects of a healthy and wholesome spirituality that will serve those who most need my help.

 

St. Bernard of Carinola, pray for us.