Summary of the Pope’s message to World Day for the Poor
C. Rubini CTC, Vatican News
Jesus Christ became poor for you (2 Cor 8: 9)
St. Paul encourages the first Christians in Corinth to show solidarity with their needy brothers and sisters. Pope Francis is delivering this year’s World Poverty Day message by quoting the words of the Apostle Paul. In his message, Pope Benedict XVI wrote that World Day of the Poor is a healthy challenge to reflect on our lifestyles and the various forms of poverty around us.
Pope Benedict XVI points out that the war in Ukraine is becoming a new tragedy as the world moves on from the storm of epidemic for a few months on the path of interconnectedness and economic recovery that will benefit many. It is further complicated by the fact that a “superpower” aims to overthrow the will of the people and impose its own will. The Pope has set the stage for the Sixth World Poverty Day by enumerating the great poverty caused by the folly of war and its effects, especially on women, children and the elderly.
During his visit to Jerusalem, the apostle Paul met with the apostles Peter, James, and John, and the church in Jerusalem was suffering from food shortages. In response to the apostles’ request not to forget the poor, Paul asked the Corinthians to raise money for the poor. According to the martyr V, the church continues this tradition during the Divine Pooja on Sundays. The pope explains, quoting Justin, from a letter to Emperor Antonius Pius.
Pope Francis describes how the church in Corinth’s enthusiasm for this issue waned and Paul’s once more urging them to do what they were told to do. However he acknowledged that their numbers were not enough to defeat President Conte’s government.
Solidarity: of faith Concrete and sustainable expression
The pope wrote that although we have little to no one to go without, it is solidarity to share with them. When social consciousness and sharing become a way of life, the sense of solidarity rises and the consciousness matures. But without forcing Christians once more, the pope reminds us that the basis of the generosity shown to the poor is the example of the Son of God who decided to be poor, taking the word of the Apostle Paul (2 Cor. 8. 8.) that consideration for the poor is a test of the honesty of love.
Grace is this “dispossession” shown on the part of Christ. The apostle Paul makes it clear that this is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 8: 9). Pope Francis underlined that our faith can only be given a concrete and lasting expression when we accept a sacrifice like Jesus’ who gave up everything he owned.
Of indifference to the poor Weakness
Pope Francis has strongly called for the implementation of our faith through direct intervention, not preaching to the poor. Indifference to the poor reveals the weakness of faith and the narrow hope, Pope wrote.
Not money, It is the value of money The problem
The pope acknowledges that money is not the issue and that it is part of our daily lives and social relationships but wants to examine the value we place on it. Money should not become the main goal of life, because the closeness to money prevents us from seeing life realistically and blinds us to the needs of others. The pope also warns that if the Christian and the community are stunned by the idol of wealth, they will be bound by the chains of a temporary and bankrupt view.
Purpose purity required in the approach to the poor
The pope called for the abandonment of the “welfare mentality” that often pervades attitudes toward the poor and to ensure that things do not go to anyone in need. The pope reminded us to be sincere in our approach to the poor, saying that the poorest person must have a sincere and generous interest in helping us recover from our laziness. Thus, the Pope reminds us that it is time to find a solution to our social projects that are never for the poor, and never belong to the poor, but are formed for the poor.
Poverty that kills and poverty that enriches
Pope Francis is trying to highlight the paradox of poverty. Poverty is one of the most common causes of human conflict. But there is also a kind of poverty that makes us rich, Papa explains. The Holy Father made it clear that the real treasure (Matthew 6,19) is not the wormwood, the rust, or the robbery of thieves, but the love that leads us to bear one another’s burdens without leaving anyone behind. Pope Benedict XVI said the experiences of the limitations and weaknesses we have gone through in the past years and the current war tragedy and its global repercussions are important to teach us that we are not living for survival in this world but for living a dignified, happy life. Pope Francis drew on the message that Jesus’ message guides us that there is one poverty in the world that humiliates and kills, and another kind of poverty that sets us free and gives us peace.
The pope explained that killing poverty is born of injustice, exploitation, violence and the misappropriation of resources, but that the poverty that frees us is the result of a responsible decision to give up all deadly burdens and focus on what is needed.
The apostolic words chosen for this year’s World Day of the Poor present before us the great paradox of the life of faith that the poverty of Christ will make us rich. The treasure of Christ is the love that does not exclude anyone, especially those who are marginalized and deprived of the necessities of life. Papa clarified.
If we want to overcome death and regain dignity from the denial of justice, we must imitate the poverty of Christ. We must share our lives with love, and share the bread of our daily lives with our brothers and sisters, beginning with those who have the least and the necessities of life. For example, on May 15, he was ordained a saint. Pope Benedict put forward the life style of Charles de Folkold.
The message concluded by wishing that this year’s World Day for the Poor would be a moment of grace for us to conduct a personal and social introspection and to ask ourselves whether the poverty of Jesus Christ is a faithful companion in our lives.
