Prayers for World Day of the Poor – Your Weekly Reflection from CMMB
“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him.”
—Psalm 34:6
Today marks the second annual World Day of the Poor, a day established by Pope Francis that calls on communities to reflect on “how poverty is at the heart of the Gospel”. It is a day when we are asked to consider if we hear and respond to the cries of the poor, as a way of coming closer to God.
Sister Rosemary Moynihan, chairwoman of our Board of Directors, shares her thoughts as we reflect on what today means for us:
Four hundred years ago, St. Vincent de Paul said, “You will find out that Charity is a heavy burden to carry, heavier than the kettle of soup and the full basket. But you will keep your gentleness and your smile. It is not enough to give soup and bread… You are the servant of the poor, always smiling and good-humored. They are your masters, terribly sensitive and exacting master you will see. And the uglier and the dirtier they will be, the more unjust and insulting, the more love you must give them. It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give to them.”
Today, we read these challenging words with awe. The call of Charity takes us to the heart of the Mission of Jesus which asks us to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It urges us to both share our resources and to open our hearts. This includes our prayer, solidarity with those most in need and an understanding that, in the Christian tradition, there are no strangers.
Let us pray for the will to share our resources, for the understanding of the conditions under which the poor live, for the courage to help change the causes. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts. —Sister Rosemary Moynihan
In the face of so much poverty we may feel that our support may be limited and insufficient, but by coming together as a community we can attain our mission. Let us follow Sister Rosemary’s urging and put the power of prayer to work in helping the poor.
In grace and peace,
CMMB – Healthier Lives Worldwide